China Moon New York

Two years ago some Chinese friends of mine took me to NTDTV (New Tang Dynasty TV) Live Chinese New Year Spectacular. It was an exciting and captivating music and dance, with traditional Chinese instruments and costumes faithfully recreated from old manuscripts, paintings and pottery. The dragons, drummers and dancers spoke of the grandeur of the great dynasties of China and the legends of history at a distance.

Ancient Chinese traditions speak of the harmony between heaven and earth. They say that humans were created by the gods. Culture as well as moral and spiritual guidance have also been transmitted to humans by divine beings during different periods of history. When men regard the Tao, the "Divine Law or Way" and follow the order of heaven, the society will be prosperous and peaceful.

Like most Westerners, I knew almost nothing about the Chinese New Year. So I asked my friends tell me over and share memories of their favorite year Nouvel. I learned that the Chinese New Year is actually celebrated by almost one quarter of the world population in several Asian countries where it is most important holiday of the year. It follows the lunar calendar and the date varies each year, according to the lunar cycle.

Several friends shared fireworks and favorite foods, pellets have often been mentioned and various traditions. The first is to write poems or phrases luck on red paper to glue around the door of each family. After breakfast there would be a series of visits. The first step would be in a local temple to burn incense and honor the gods. Then come visits to relatives and friends. In the cities many musicians marched through the streets to announce the arrival of spring.

The Lantern Festival marks the end of season new year. It evolved from the ancient belief of heavenly spirits flying in the light of the first full moon. Lanterns of various shapes and colors were lit during the night.

Maquiong, who grew up in a city near the Yangtze River, said: "Some communities would be to hold a lantern market. Usually, my mother took us to monitor activities. Later, she cook good dinner that included dumplings with syrup, which symbolizes harmony in the family and the sweetness of life. "

She said that in the past few years traditions like these have changed in China. In big cities fireworks were banned, and people have the New Year dinner at the restaurant. In addition, many people exchange greetings new year by phone and does not visit each other so much. "But in my memories," Maquiong said, "The Chinese New Year is always a good time."

"Traditional Chinese culture and spiritual traditions were destroyed and outlawed by the Chinese Communist Party," said Jason, a physician. He said the CPC destroyed almost all temples and burned ancient manuscripts. Since came to power in the 40s, they changed the history books and brainwashed generations of Chinese in the party culture, class warfare and Marxist ideology.

"Young people know nothing about Chinese history or the true deepest values of our ancient traditions," Jason said. "NTDTV and its overall annual Chinese New Year exhibition help to promote a renaissance of traditional Chinese culture. The performances are wonderful and full of nobility. "

The 2007 New Year Spectacular NTDTV will tour in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington DC and cities in Canada, Europe and Asia.