Sharing the joy of the Rabbit Year

Yayasan Tuanku Fauziah (YTF) Webinar Series 17 titled “Sharing the Joy of the Rabbit Chinese New Year 2023” was held via Zoom and Facebook Live on 17 January 2023.

The webinar was organised by Yayasan Tuanku Fauziah in collaboration with UTAR Centre for Corporate and Community Development (CCCD) to share the traditions and the significance of the Chinese New Year celebration with the participants.

Prof Dato’ Ewe thanking YTF for its partnership in organising this series

During the welcome remark, UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat conveyed his sincere heartfelt appreciation to Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail and Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Puan Muda Perlis Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil for gracing the Yayasan Tuanku Fauziah (YTF) Webinar.

He added, “UTAR is indeed proud to collaborate with YTF to conduct the Series 17 of the YTF Webinar. Special thanks to the YTF and the members of the organising committee for making this webinar a success.”

Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra officiating the YTF webinar

Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra officiated the YTF webinar and emphasised on the importance of diversity in Malaysia’s society, “Malaysia is an incredibly diverse country, containing many different ethnicities, languages and religions. People from each ethnicity have generally retained their ancestors’ cultural customs. As a result, Malaysian society accommodates a rich variety of lifestyles, beliefs and values. In addition to that, Malaysian observes a number of celebrations according to the religious faith of its people.” He believes that our multicultural achievement is absolutely fundamental to our economic prosperity and continuous growth.

Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra added, “Today’s webinar is a good platform to form a solid and united society regardless of race and religion. I am very excited to be part of this YTF Webinar to learn more about the Chinese New Year celebration in Malaysia. Chinese New Year is perhaps the biggest and one of the most important annual festivals for Chinese and the Chinese community worldwide.”

A total of six speakers spoke at the webinar. They are Faculty of Arts and Social Science lecturers Prof Dato’ Dr See Ching Mey and Assoc Prof Dr Cheah Phaik Kin; Faculty of Creative Industries lecturers Dr Wu Ming Chu, Ms Foo Mei Lee and Ms Kor Eng Choon; and M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences lecturer Prof Ts Dr Lim Yang Mooi. The webinar was moderated by YTF Board of Trustees member Tan Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Prof See sharing her topic “Chinese New Year Angpau Giving”

Prof See started the webinar with her topic titled “Chinese New Year Angpau Giving”. She first introduced the red packet and said, “Red packet— Hongbao in Mandarin, Lai see in Cantonese and Angpau in Hokkien are given on Chinese New Year, birthdays and weddings as a symbol of good wishes. Those who receive angpau are wished another safe and peaceful year.”

Prof See showing the different designs of angpau

She then shared the origin of angpau; the legend and history of angpau; the symbolism of angpau; the evolution of angpau giving and the do’s and don’ts pertaining to angpau. Prof See concluded her topic by saying, “The culture of angpau reflects the interpersonal relationship of the Chinese people. The amount of money does not matter, giving angpau is a sign of prosperity; giving someone love. It contains the meaning of peace and good luck, as well as the expression of exchanging wishes between one another.”

Dr Wu explaining the importance of the Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner

Dr Wu emphasised that the Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner is the most important feast for the Chinese in her webinar titled “Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner”. It is the occasion of the reunion of all the family members, eating delicious and well-prepared dishes. It is a joyful moment for the family, elders and young ones.

Reunion dinner, according to Dr Wu, is a feast

Dr Wu explaining the meaning of each ingredient

She also shared about ancestor worship; the meaning of each ingredient during Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner; the examples of Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner dishes; the symbols of Chinese New Year dishes in different provinces or origin; women behind reunion dinners; “ya sui” vs ang pao and many more.

Prof Lim sharing her topic “Nian Gao (Sweet Sticky Rice Cake)”

Prof Lim introduced her topic “Nian Gao (Sweet Sticky Rice Cake)” and explained that Nian Gao has various names, such as year cake, new year cake, Chinese New Year cake and rice cake.

She said, “Nian Gao (年糕= 年高) simply means ‘we grow every year’. It suggests a more prosperous year ahead. It is a popular gift item given during the Chinese New Year celebration and it is decorated with an auspicious Chinese character of prosperity (fu 福).”

Prof Lim explaining the steps to make Nian Gao

Prof Lim also shared the history of Nian Gao; the significance of having Nian Gao; Nian Gao as an offering to the Kitchen God; the role of the Kitchen God; the common ingredients needed to make Nian Gao; the steps of making Nian Gao; the type, shape and colour of Nian Gao; the preparation needed to make Nian Gao in China and many more.

Foo and Kor sharing “The Dos & Don'ts of Chinese New Year”

Foo Mei Lee and Kor Eng Choon spoke about “The Do’s & Don’ts of Chinese New Year”. Foo began by explaining the winter solstice; the preparations for the Chinese New Year celebration; the God of Kitchen; spring cleaning; the beginning of the spring; Chinese New Year’s Eve reunion dinner; fireworks; staying up and the Do’s & Don’ts of Day One Chinese New Year celebration. Kor, on the other hand, explained the Do’s & Don’ts of Day Two to Day Nine of the Chinese New Year celebration; Chap Goh Mei and mending the sky.

Dr Cheah explaining her topic “Year of the Rabbit 2023”

Dr Cheah shared her topic titled “Year of the Rabbit 2023”. She introduced the Chinese zodiac; 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac; the story of the Chinese Zodiac; the Water Tiger in 2022; the symbol of the rabbit zodiac and more.

The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac

Dr Cheah shared, “According to myths, the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac were selected by a race organised by the Jade Emperor— an important god in the Chinese religion. This race is meant to create a time measurement for the people. There could only be twelve winners and in order to win, the animals had to cross a rapid current river and reach the finish line on the shore. The 12 animals who were winners in the race were: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.”

The story of the Chinese Zodiac

She also said the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity. People born with the rabbit zodiac are vigilant, witty, quick-minded and ingenious.  

Raja Puan Muda Perlis Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen during her closing speech

The event concluded with a closing speech by Raja Puan Muda Perlis Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.

Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen, who is also the chairperson of YTF, thanked everyone for their support towards the webinar. She mentioned that it motivated her team to continue organising the YTF Webinar series for Malaysians.

She also thanked the speakers for providing the participants with so many insights on Chinese New Year customs and traditions, as well as the participants for their active participation. “I hope that all participants have benefited and understood the importance of Chinese New Year and its customs and beliefs,” Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah said.

Front row, seated from left: Prof Dato’ Ewe and Tan Sri Dr Ng with some of the speakers and participants wishing everyone a prosperous Chinese New Year