Year of the Pig brings prosperity, as Lunar New Year celebrated

It's the Lunar New Year, and the Chinese community in Newfoundland and Labrador is celebratingwhat should be a prosperous Year of the Pig.

In the Chinese zodiac calendar, the Year of the Pig is supposed to be a good year to make money and invest.

"A pig is a symbol in China of intelligence and also, maybe because of their size, it's also a symbol of prosperity," said Simon Tam, the newly elected president of the Chinese Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Tzu Hau Hsu was born in the Year of the Pig herself, so while she's a little bit biased, she said people born in the Year of the Pig have plenty of perks.

"Folks who are born in the Year of the Pig tend to be gentle, sociable folks who are honest and straightforward," she told CBC's St. John's Morning Show.

"They're comfortable in life, they work hard, they can achieve great success, but if not, you're generally speaking, you'll coast along pretty well. But don't tell my parents I said that."

There are some downsides, too, such as getting a little too passionate about certain subjects. "So you start fights, and my brother can tell you that growing up, that was a forte I was very much good at."

But the Year of the Pig isn't particularly lucky for those born under the Chinese zodiac sign; instead, you may want to lie low and not commit to any big investments, she said.

Growing Chinese community in N.L.

While there are massive celebrations in China to ring in the new year, in St. John's, the local community is planning a big party for Saturday.

It will have dancing, performances and, of course food.

But if you're looking for a ticket, you're out of luck, Tam said; tickets sold out pretty quickly.

That could be because the Chinese community in the province, and in St. John's especially, has been steadily expanding since the 1890s, with people from difference provinces in China moving here.

"I have to say, I don't know exactly the size of the Chinese community here, but including students here it would be a few thousand, I would think," said Tam.

'It's pretty much like Christmas'

But in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the Chinese community is pretty small, meaning celebrations are often a small affair.

"Traditionally, it's pretty much like a family reunion, so everyone goes back home to stay with their family basically a family festival," says Xingpei Li, who works with Them Days magazine.

"I have no plans. I mean, because here, there's no Chinese community."

Back home, he would go to his parents house and there would be big parties with family and friends.

"It's the biggest festival in China. It's pretty much like Christmas for you guys," he told CBC's Labrador Morning.

And the Lunar New Year is a favourite holiday for children because, traditionally, you're given cash by your older relatives.

"It's like here, kids love Christmas, because you get a Christmas gift from your family, and in China, you can also give gifts, but the tradition is to usually give cash so that's why kids love it," he said.

And there's an added bonus: no naughty or nice list like Christmas.

"I think they hope you that's what they tell you, be good, you could get more money next year," laughed Li, "but, eh, we don't have Santa so you don't have to be good."

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