Kick Off CNY in Style with Today’s Laba Festival
There’s a whole lot to know if you’re
going to celebrate Chinese New Year properly, and this year I plan on
doing everything by the book and sticking as close to tradition as
possible, partly to teach my little girl this side of her heritage and
partly to finally satisfy the curiosity I’ve had for it all these
decades. So, join me as I explain every Chinese New Year tradition
that’s about to take over the city.
So far we've covered:
1) Kid-Friendly CNY Dragon Decor for ‘24
2) Your Guide to Chinese New Year Taboos and Superstitions
3) The Art and Traditions of CNY Couplets
4) Why 2024 is the Year of the Wooden Dragon
5) How Much to Put in Everyone's Hongbaos
6) A Day-to-day Breakdown of How to Celebrate CNY
Search #JingkidsCNY to find more articles on this topic.
This festival traces its origins back to Buddhism and revolves around the legendary tale of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism itself. The story goes that Sakyamuni reached enlightenment on this day after spending years meditating and living off of porridge. This is why laba porridge is so heavily associated with this holiday and why some monasteries in China would even give the dish out on this day in honor of Sakyamuni.
The joy of Laba Festival is about more than just the delicious porridge. Families and friends gather in kitchens sharing stories while the tantalizing aroma of the porridge fills the air. It’s a beautiful representation of togetherness and collaboration.
People often visit temples to pay their respects, light incense, and express gratitude for the blessings received throughout the year. It’s a time to reflect on the past and look forward to a prosperous future.
Apart from laba porridge, Laba Festival is also known for its noodles. Laba noodles are long, uncut noodles that symbolize longevity and are believed to bring good fortune.
Finally, sounding even more like Thanksgiving, Laba Festival also emphasizes the spirit of giving. Some organize charity events and distribute laba porridge to the less fortunate. It’s a heartening gesture that reflects the festival’s essence of compassion, sharing, and spreading joy beyond the confines of one’s own circle.
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