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economist siinsuntribune lunar new year saturday feb 5 2005 an asian cultures have different ways to celebrate new year by mike adler staff writer ts a bit like being santa claus but instead of ho ho ho you say kung hei fat choi playing the money god is fun even around people who dont recognize you as the embodi ment of good luck some canadians they have no idea what this is says king chan his hand sweeping over the red robe of the god of prosperity cos tume hell wear at a mall next satur day stroking a waistlength false beard as he pulls red packets of lucky money chocolate coins actually from his oversized sleeves people believe mis story char acter will bring them wealth says the markham man recruited for a king chan portrays god of prosperity at lunar new year events at markville shopping centre 1230 pm tour of markville shop ping centre not surprisingly the money god is a popular attraction around lunar new year in many york region malls as are the martial artstrained lion dancers who bless stores and thrill crowds new clothes gifts of money to bring good fortune and the expec tation of a fresh start for all are com mon at new year not just in china but also in korea and vietnam where the same calendar is used new year celebrations last longer overseas continuing up to two weeks that isnt possible in canada and many new year tradi tions arent continued here some york residents say i had to follow what canadians do says john lee general manag er of the korean canadian associa tion of metropolitan toronto as a child in korea mr lee observed traditions of solnal new year such as eating a rice cake soup to promote long life bowing to fam ily elders and paying tribute to ancestors they wear new clothes they prepare food for their ancestors and have a ceremony in the morning the thornhill resident says lauthi phi took her son back to vietnam last year so they could visit their relatives an important new year tradition and so he could see how new year called tet in viet nam is celebrated children have to wish their eld ers a happy new year and every time you see elders they give chil dren lucky money says the markham woman owner of the restaurant pho99 ancestors are welcomed back at tet and paper objects represen tations of things those ancestors enjoyed are burnt in markham mrs phi cleans her household shrine for new year and makes banh chung square rice cakes that symbolize the earth and thus life itself every family needs to make it or buy it she says as in china its considered unlucky to sweep a floor the first day of the year that sweeps all the money out mrs phi says children will stay awake tues day to welcome the new year which arrives at midnight its pretty much an overnight party its believed that if children stay up on that night its good for the parents longevity says suzan- na hsu an english as a second lan guage teacher at the chinese cul tural centre in markham on the first day of the year can tonese people buy flowers and candy says ms hsu originally from south china on the second day married women go back to parents homes with their families new year is a time of rest for children its rare quality time with busy parents its not a good time to move to a new home or job and everybody tries not to get angry ms hsu recalls old grudges have to be cast away reconciliations have to be made new year peak shopping season by patrick mangion staff writer michael wong and his mother have staked out one of the prime loca tions at pacific mall in markham greeting shoppers near one of the entrances a spread of chinese treats has made it one of the busiest spots with lunar new year just a few days away were twice as busy now than the rest of the year mr wong said as his mother looked on from behind the cash register wealth and prosperity are after all cornerstones of the annual tradition with cash registers already singing at the steel es avenue and kennedy road mall mer chants expect activity to build as wednesdays year of the rooster approaches most of the seats were occupied at hairdresser peter chiens place last week but an appointment will secure a spot for anyone in need of a haircut symbol of a fresh start to the new year in keeping with tradition jack kuo a secondgenera tion canadian of taiwanese heritage will pick up a new pair of shoes for good luck before midnight wednesday as boy growing up in hong kong brian li recalls a stack of new clothes at his bedside every new years day my mom would tell me i have to wear them for good luck said mr li pacific malls heritage town opera tions manager while some traditions may have wavered among york regions asian populations the lunar new year remains a boon to retailers mr li said for those who arent shop ping elders giving cash to youth in little red envelopes remains as popular as ever lanterns in the traditional red and gold line the halls throughout the mall adding to the holiday ambiance shoppers have come to expect said bonnie ng pacif ic mall promotions manager chinese people love shopping its a way to get together with friends and family she said staff photosjoerd witteveen ed lee and maggie lee shop for sweets to hand out at new year cele brations at sbs sinocanada products inc at pacific mall asian retail centres are busy right now because prosperity is a central theme of new year celebrations first markham place at woodbine avenue and hwy 7 in markham times square at hwy 7 and west beaver creek road in richmond hill pacific mall at steeles avenue and kennedy road markham market village in markham and 1 strip plazas in the bayview avenuehwy 7 area i vj1 v r5y vv ts markham valentines enjoyu wgm m a stunning voice and a passionate performance february tickets- 40 co- sponsored by can suit mn certificate i n p v 5i i s