Chinese New Year

I was at Southcenter Mall yesterday and it was all decorated with Chinese New Year displays. I don't know why that surprised me, since shopping is a big part of Chinese New Year festivities. And of course, we have a large Asian community in Seattle.

The first day of Chinese New Year is February 19th this year, but preparation for the holiday begins many days in advance, with traditional chores and activities for each day.

Before the New Year festivities begin, the house must be purged of bad juju and dirt.  Then homage must be paid to the Kitchen God, or Stove God, who oversees every Chinese kitchen and watches over the domestic affairs of the family.

On February 11, the Kitchen God visits homes and then reports back to the Jade Emperor in heaven, who decides whether or not to reward the family in the coming year.  For this reason people leave candy, beans, and fruit in hope of flattering the Kitchen God.

Maybe that was the meaning of the oranges stacked under the trees at the mall?