A Journey to China
By P. Nixon
The United States is often refered to as a melting pot, welcoming people from across the world of different races and religions all hoping to find a better life. Since our beginnings as a nation and through this blending of cultures, we are a land of immigrants and in order to truly understand our culture, we must acknowledge the hundreds that make our nation what it is. In this issue of Perception, we focused on the Jewish culture and the attrocities committed during the Holocaust, but through this, we want to highlight a different culture that is a major part of the United States, Chinese. So grab your ticket as we take a trip halfway across the world and journey into a spiritually rich culture with roots from thousands of years ago.
The New Year
As in most countries around the world, one of the most significant things about their culture is their religion, and within them a diverse range of holidays, each with their own spiritual and historical significance. The majority of the Chinese population is Buddhist, and to them their is no more important holiday than Chinese New Year, commonly known as the "Spring Festival." Due to the implementation of a lunisolar calendar in the majority of common Chinese homes, many of their holidays take place on a different day every year. Chinese New Year is no exception and takes place on the 19th of February, 2015, this upcoming year. This holiday is said to have originated during the Shang Dynasty between 1766 B.C. and 1122 B.C. but it is not exactly known when this was first celebrated. Though its first celebration is not known, its purpose is; it is meant to be a time to honor household deities as well as ancestors. Traditionally every household is thoroughly cleaned in order to rid them of "huiqi", or things unpromising to success in the future, as well as to help them to appeal to the gods. Over millennium this celebration has changed but through sacrifices of food and paper and firecrackers shot, spirits have been frightened away and good luck and longevity have been brought to every household.
Food in Religion
According to Merriam Webster, food is defined as a material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair and run vital processes, and to furnish energy. To the Chinese, food is much more; it is a linkage between people, their gods, and a way for families to connect. Food is most prominent through religion and is often a sacrifice to the gods for good luck and prosperity. Nowhere is this more evident than on Chinese New Year. It is said that Cho San and other deities are invited to the supreme buddhist god to have a meeting about their annual jobs on Earth. Before this, Cho San is given a farewell dinner by the people that consists of only sweets, such as candied coconut and papaya, rice crackers, honey, and sweet rice, where they hope that they can seal Cho San's lips and say only sweet things about the people when he visits the gods to give his annual report. As you can see, food isn't just a means of survival, it is life and life can be understood through food.
One World
The Chinese culture is extremely diverse with origins dating back thousands of years and evolving with each generation. Through food and religion people connect with each other and their past and move forward with good luck and fortune. Though it may seem different from many of our beliefs, all people are truly the same, we are all one world, working toward the same goal. Peace.