crossposted from: https://piefed.social/c/theasiandiaspora/p/1785433/oc-my-lunar-new-year-in-usa-chinese-american-edition-philadelphia-pa

So this is like a table my parent put right by the door, then they get the fake money stuff and hold it in between the palm of their hands, do some prayer thing, then burn the “fake money”, so the ancestors in the heavens can… checks notes …get money to spend? Idk I’m so confused, as a 1.5 gen I don’t even understand my own heritage either.

(Also why is Heaven run under capitalism? lmfao, but hey, at least we can relate to our “ancestors in the heavens”, money struggles both in coporeal and non-corporeal forms 😆 (meant as a joke, pls don’t bring the seriousness of politics here lol))

Honestly idk if I’d even do this stuff with my future chosen-family… I’m just very leaning towards atheism and, no offense to my ancestors, but this just seems kinda silly to me IMO.

I feel too Americanized already and doing this now makes me feel like I’m a “phoney” (as if I’m a “pretender to Chinese Culture”… like idk my mind doesn’t feel very “Chinese” exactly… I haven’t participated in the prayer thing ever since like teenage years and I read about atheism)

Also now its new years and I’m not allowed to mention “bad words” like… “death” and like no yelling allowed

Oh yea mom maybe can you do the “no scolding your children” thing 365 days a year? thanks xD

Bonus:

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So anyways: Enjoy your Lunar New Years! (enjoy the few days of being immune from getting a scolding xD cuz it’s bad luck to scold your children on New Years apparantly)

  • Elextra@literature.cafe
    9·
    25 days ago

    Happy Lunar New Years. A lot of Asian cultures celebrate, not just Chinese.

    The story behind the food, drinks, and money behind our ancestors is really interesting. I didn’t know that the process lasts days and there’s a whole “journey” until I was a little bit older.

    I’m an atheist myself but I still join in on these things. While I’m an American born it makes me feel closer to my family as they have always done it… Also who doesn’t like red envelopes and well wishes for each other? I don’t get red envelopes anymore but that’s how I approach respectful people of different religions. Just engage and send my well wishes too. Celebrate and smile and learn what they day is about.