“A closed mind is like a closed book; just a block of wood.”
—Chinese Proverb
I made a quick stop at the Saratoga Farmer’s Market for some fresh orange juice and noticed a gathering around a colorful booth I had not seen before. As I moved closer, I was handed a bright, beautiful red envelope (known as hongbao), compliments of Yan Zhao, mayor of Saratoga.
While traditionally the giving of red envelope centers on children (filled with money), it is also customary to give red envelopes to friends, family, colleagues and other relatives, and even a casual acquaintance can expect to receive an envelope. The red color symbolizes good luck, good health, and prosperity in Chinese and other East Asian cultures. In the twenty-first century, many people exchange digital red envelopes instead of the traditional paper one. These are virtual packets of very real cash, transferred directly to friends and family’s smartphones.
I looked in my envelope and noticed there was no cash:-) but there was a beautiful and heartfelt card wishing me a Happy Lunar New Year, and informing me that in the Chinese Zodiac, the Ox gifts the world with superhuman strength of mind, body, and spirit. So thank you mayor Zhao for your good wishes and generosity of spirit.
In closing, I have attached a short video clip link below of the lion dance, sent to me by Rose, a Chinese-American friend and fellow yoga Qi Gong enthusiast. It is one of the most important traditions of Chinese New Year. It is performed to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year. It is a powerful, festive and a magical performance that adults and children the world over love. We have had the pleasure of experiencing the lion dance through our many travels in Asia and South Asian countries, and in San Francisco’s Chinatown. This video was recorded in Harbor City in Hong Kong.
