Monday, February 15, 2010

E is for Envelopes of Red and More

This post is linked to both Alphabe-Thursday and Tablescape Thursday.




 is for

Envelopes of red to celebrate 

 Chinese New Year



 The Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year began on February 14 this year. Red, an auspicious color, is the predominant color for the New Year celebration because it is a symbol of joy, virtue, truth, and sincerity. The red envelopes called "Ang Pow" are given out during the New Year celebrations. The elderly and married couples give the red envelopes to the children and single young adults. It is customary for the red envelopes to contain money. The amount in the envelopes should be an even number, and the number eight, which is associated with wealth, is considered to be very lucky. These red envelopes were filled with chocolate coins covered in gold foil.




 is for

Exchanging small gifts of food or

sweets with friends and relatives



During the celebration of the Chinese New Year the practice of "New Year Visits" takes place. Families and friends visit one another, and in addition to the envelopes of red, gifts of fruit and some various types of sweets are given when friends and family visit each other's homes. Mandarin oranges are one of our favorite fruits here at HFTS this time of year. They are also one of the most popular fruits during this celebration. These fruits represent luck and good fortune.




is for

Egg Drop Soup



The Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival, as this is a time for Chinese families to clean their homes (as in spring cleaning) and to welcome the coming season of spring. Toward the end of the fifteen day celebration it is tradition to serve Egg Drop Soup. The ribbons of eggs in this tasty soup represent fertility.




 is for

Engaging


2010 is "The Year of the Tiger". 
 Those born in the "Year of the Tiger" are said 

to be engaging, lucky, and brave.





 is for

Entertaining to celebrate the 

 Year of the Tiger







































Gung Hee Fat Choi

Congratulations and be prosperous!

For more Letter E Lessons join Mrs. Matlock's class here. To see more table settings visit Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch.

You can read about the Chinese New Year celebration in detail here at Wikipedia.




on

42 comments:

  1. Phyllis @Around the HouseFebruary 17, 2010 at 11:26 PM

    wow I loved every single thing about this post of yours, the egg drop soup looked so wonderful, loved the dishes, the treats and all the asian treasures that make it all so authentic and real, what a beautiful job...thanks for sharing,.,,Phyllis

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  2. Bits-n-PiecesFebruary 17, 2010 at 11:33 PM

    very informative!! we were reading about the red envelopes in class the other day. my first graders thought they should try that at home!! :)

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  3. JoFebruary 18, 2010 at 12:03 AM

    thanks for sharing all of that with us, it is so much fun to learn something new! who knew that joy, virtue, truth, and sincerity was associated with the colour red.

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  4. Holly LefevreFebruary 18, 2010 at 12:10 AM

    I just LOVE this post. My son has been a huge fan of Chinese New Year for a couple of years (he's only 8) and loves to celebrate it...we make fortune cookies and create our own fortunes. It is so much fun. It was creative and so nice to see something different!
    Holly

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  5. UnknownFebruary 18, 2010 at 12:38 AM

    Your post is very interesting. So much information that I did not know!
    Happy Chinese New Year!!
    Judy

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  6. My name is RietFebruary 18, 2010 at 1:34 AM

    What a great informative post. Lovely pictures. I am a Tiger so I hope this year will be my lucky one.

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  7. Chubby ChiequeFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:07 AM

    Gong xi fa cai!

    This is so cute thoughts way of celebrating the Chinese New Year. Isn't the tiger cute too.

    Lovely post.

    Greetings from a snowy Stockholm.
    xoxo

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  8. People Who Know Me Would Say:February 18, 2010 at 5:08 AM

    Informative, educational, entertaining and filled with beautiful images.

    E is for Excellent!

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  9. Carol at SerendipityFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:22 AM

    What a wonderful educational post! Thanks you for sharing all that information. Loved all your pictures and the soup!!!
    Carol

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  10. KatFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:23 AM

    What a beautiful, interesting post. Your photos are gorgeous! I did not know that Mandarin oranges represented good luck and fortune, I'd better pick some up! Kathy

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  11. MaggieFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:28 AM

    Morning Sarah,
    What a wonderful post, so creative and full of interesting facts & pix.
    I'm a Tiger too, I think it's going to be a great year.
    ~Maggie~

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  12. UnknownFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:39 AM

    The photography is stunning! I'm home sick but think I could go for some of that egg drop soup.

    ReplyDelete
  13. JacqueFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:46 AM

    Good Morning Sarah,

    How interesting to learn about other countries and their cultures. I learn so much from your blogs. You are a great teacher!

    Here's to a Wonderful Year of the Tiger!!

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  14. RettabugFebruary 18, 2010 at 6:39 AM

    Sara, what an E ntertaining & E ducational post!! You are such a good teacher. :D

    I was born in the year of the tiger!!!

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  15. ~✽Mumsy✽~February 18, 2010 at 7:09 AM

    What a wonderful E post! The egg drop soup is Excellent, and looks delicious!

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  16. BettyFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:39 AM

    A very interesting post and the photographs were wonderful.

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  17. black eyed susans kitchenFebruary 18, 2010 at 7:41 AM

    Sarah, You really went all out with this post! I love the tiger accessories that you added. The table is a perfect celebration for the Chinese New Year, and the egg drop soup made me very hungry. Great post.
    ♥, Susan

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  18. JoyceFebruary 18, 2010 at 8:35 AM

    Fun post for the year of the Tiger. I started the week off with a mosaic for the New Year and have continued to post about the New Year each day on my blog. Come by and have a peak when you can. I think we both are thinking along the same lines this week. I just love your cute little tigers.
    Joyce

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  19. VikiFebruary 18, 2010 at 8:51 AM

    This is a great post. Just a few days ago, I googled Year of the Tiger and read about it. Your post was very interesting.

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  20. xinexFebruary 18, 2010 at 9:10 AM

    Thank you for this very oclorful, pretty and informative post, Sarah. I love it and really enjoyed it!...Christine

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  21. MarigeneFebruary 18, 2010 at 11:47 AM

    I love posts with a little history thrown in...cute Chinese tablescape. That tiger is adorable...but the egg drop soup is what I want!

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  22. Amanda LeeFebruary 18, 2010 at 1:37 PM

    Thanks for such an informative post! I recently moved to the international district in my city, so I especially appreciate learning about Chinese culture!

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  23. AmyFebruary 18, 2010 at 2:47 PM

    Great post!

    I had a student assistant from China one year. My associate and I decorated her cubicle up as a surprise and I made red envelopes and we took up a collection and put money in it for her. She was so surprised and excited to experience a little bit of home in a very far away place!

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  24. easternsparkleFebruary 18, 2010 at 3:24 PM

    That was a very Educational post!

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  25. laterg8rFebruary 18, 2010 at 3:43 PM

    wonderful pics to accompany your E post :D
    tfs :D

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  26. Blondie's JournalFebruary 18, 2010 at 4:22 PM

    I really love this fun and informative post, Sarah!! Your dishes are stunning and your egg drop soup looks delicious. I think I will order Chinese tonight...with dessert!!

    xoxo
    Janie

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  27. JennyFebruary 18, 2010 at 5:41 PM

    Wow, this was an E ngaging and E nlightening post for sure!

    I really enjoyed learning and seeing all your lovely photos!

    A+

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  28. lissaFebruary 18, 2010 at 6:32 PM

    I love egg drop soup but never knew they have meaning

    thanks for the delicious photos & for visiting my alphabe-thursday

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  29. Mid-Atlantic MarthaFebruary 18, 2010 at 8:07 PM

    Fun - wonderful and yummy! What a great tablescape this week~

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  30. Yellow Rose ArborFebruary 18, 2010 at 9:40 PM

    Very unique tablescape and such an interesting post! Thanks for sharing!

    Katherine

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  31. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 10:02 PM

    No egg drop soup for me thank you very much. I do not want anymore fertility! Love your Asian lesson today!
    patti

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  32. mubFebruary 19, 2010 at 3:16 AM

    Now I REALLY am craving egg drop soup! Though, not for the fertility promise *L*

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  33. AnaFebruary 19, 2010 at 9:30 AM

    Good morning sweet Sarah. I love this post. I learned a lot about Chinese New Year's celebrations and traditions. Loved all your pictures. Have a wonderful weekend my dear friend.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ♥Ana

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  34. MrsJenBFebruary 19, 2010 at 4:34 PM

    I have never eaten egg drop soup. Perhaps I should start...wink wink!

    What a fantastic post! And great pictures.

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  35. Barb February 19, 2010 at 4:53 PM

    Sarah, your soup looks soooo delicious!

    Barb

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  36. Bargain Decorating with LaurieFebruary 19, 2010 at 5:33 PM

    Sarah, what neat tiger treats and accessories! I learned so much while reading this post. I didn't know about the red envelopes or the fruit gifts. You are so smart, and I'm so glad you share all of your wisdom on your blog. Your Chinese New Year place setting is so pretty. I hope your head cold is cured. Egg drop soup might help. It looks delicious. laurie

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  37. Bargain Decorating with LaurieFebruary 19, 2010 at 5:33 PM

    Sarah, what neat tiger treats and accessories! I learned so much while reading this post. I didn't know about the red envelopes or the fruit gifts. You are so smart, and I'm so glad you share all of your wisdom on your blog. Your Chinese New Year place setting is so pretty. I hope your head cold is cured. Egg drop soup might help. It looks delicious. laurie

    ReplyDelete
  38. UnknownFebruary 19, 2010 at 7:00 PM

    Loved your E post, very creative. Wish I had a bowl of egg drop soup about now ...

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  39. KathleenFebruary 19, 2010 at 7:06 PM

    That was great!! It sure wasn't the year of a certain Tiger..:(
    Very cute!

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  40. UnknownFebruary 20, 2010 at 1:31 PM

    May the year of the tiger be happy and prosperous for you and your family...what a great themed post! melinda

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  41. Lia at Petite Little BeeFebruary 22, 2010 at 12:17 AM

    Love this post aboout the New Year. I especailly love the little envelopes. They are so festive and I imagine a great joy to receive especially with something inside. Happy New Year!!! Lia

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  42. AnonymousMarch 13, 2010 at 3:25 AM

    Amiable brief and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you for your information.

    ReplyDelete

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