Friday, 14 February 2025

Happy 12th Birthday 12岁生日快乐

Singapore

新加坡

North-South-Dong-Xi is TWELVE years old.

Never expect North-South-Dong-Xi abilities to last so long.

Twelve years have passed just like this!

From monolingualism at first to bilingualism later, writing ability was also tested.

Do you have a favourite article from the past twelve years?

I will insist on continuing to write until my ideas are exhausted.

Must repeat this crucial phrase every year, hoping that North-South-Dong-Xi has years to keep everyone company.

~*Happy 12th Birthday North-South-Dong-Xi*~


《North-South-东-西》十二岁了!

没想到《North-South-东-西》的能力能持续这么久。

十二个年头就这样的过了!

从最初的单语到后来的双语,写作的能力也受到了考验。

过去十二年来你最喜欢的文章有吗?

我会坚持继续写,写到江郎才尽。

每年都要重复这句很重要的话,希望在未来的时间里《North-South-东-西》可以一直陪伴大家。

~*《North-South-东-西》12岁生日快乐*~

Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Turned Stone Into Gold 点石成金

Singapore - Singapore Pools

新加坡 — 新加坡博彩公司

Today is the Yuanxiao Festival and the last day of the Chinese New Year.

今天是元宵节,也是华人新年的最后一天。


Where did the person who successfully turned stone into gold that day get his money?

那天成功点石成金的人到哪领钱呢?


If the winning prize exceeds SGD 20,000, the winner must go to Singapore Pools at Middle Road to claim the prize.

如果中奖奖金超过两万新币,中奖者就必须到弥陀路的新加坡博彩公司领奖。


Winners must bring their ID cards or passports to show who they are to receive the prize.

中奖者必须携带身份证或护照以证明其获奖者身份。


Submit your winning ticket stub and ID card, and the counter staff will issue you the winning document.

提交中奖票根和身份证,柜台工作人员将为您发放中奖证件。


 Wait for the cheque to be issued.

等待支票发出。

Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Thaipusam 大宝森节

Singapore - Orchard Road

新加坡 — 乌节路

Today is the fourteenth day of the first lunar month and the Hindu festival Thaipusam.

今天是正月十四,也是兴都教的大宝森节。


Thaipusam (Tamil: தைப்பூசம்) is a Hindu festival celebrated by the Tamil people.

大宝森节(淡米尔语:தைப்பூசம்)是淡米尔人所庆祝的一个兴都教节日。


Thaipusam celebrates the birthday of Murugan, the eldest son of Shiva and Parvati, the God of War.

大宝森节是庆祝湿婆和雪山女神的长子战神穆鲁干的生日。


Some devotees carry Kavadi shackles in procession to thank or pray to Murugan.

为感谢或祈求穆干,一些信徒会背起卡瓦第枷锁游行。


The female penitent usually carries a copper pot called Pal Kavadi on her head, which contains blessed milk.

女性忏悔者通常是用头顶着一只被称作瓢卡瓦第的铜罐,里面装有经过祈福的牛奶。

Saturday, 8 February 2025

Son-In-Law Egg 女婿的蛋

Thailand - Bangkok

泰国 — 曼谷

Today is the eleventh day of the first lunar month, traditionally called "inviting son-in-law".

今天是正月十一,传统上称为“请子婿”。


There is a traditional dish in Thailand called "son-in-law eggs" ไข่ลูกเขย (kai look keuy).

在泰国刚好就有一道传统菜叫 “女婿的蛋” ไข่ลูกเขย (凯路葵)

It is a delicious and unique dish that you must try at least once in your life!

这是一道美味又独特的菜肴,您一生中至少必须尝试一次!

Medium-boiled eggs (preferably duck eggs) are deep-fried in hot oil so they develop a browned, chewy skin that gives the eggs a distinct texture.

半熟的蛋(最好是鸭蛋)在热油中油炸,因此它们会形成棕色的耐嚼外皮,使鸡蛋具有独特的质地。

Then, a sweet-and-sour tamarind sauce drizzles over it and is topped with crispy fried shallots and garlic chips.

然后淋上糖醋罗望子酱,上面撒上酥脆的炸青葱和蒜片。

"Son-in-law eggs" is one of the most popular dishes for kids in Thailand.

“女婿的蛋” 是泰国孩子们最喜欢的菜肴之一。

Friday, 7 February 2025

Get Rich Day 发财日

Singapore

新加坡

Today is the tenth day of the Chinese New Year, the "earth day", also known as the stone's birthday.

今天是大年初十,是“地日”,即石头的生日。


You can see a lot of people queuing up these few days.

这几天可以看到很多人排队。


Adult men and women can be seen queuing up everywhere.

到处都能看到成年男女排队。


Even under the scorching sun, everyone lined up willingly.

即使烈日炎炎,大家也心甘情愿地排队。


The goal is to turn stone into gold tonight and become a multi-millionaire.

目标是今晚能点石成金,成为千万富翁。

Thursday, 6 February 2025

The Jade Emperor’s Birthday 玉皇大帝诞

Singapore

新加坡

Today is the ninth day of the Chinese New Year, the birthday of the Jade Emperor.

今天是大年初九,玉皇大帝诞。

Hokkien people in Singapore usually worship the Jade Emperor on this day.

新加坡的福建人通常会在这天拜玉皇大帝。


During the Ming Dynasty, during one of the Chinese New Year, Japanese pirates were killing people and robbing people along the coast of Fujian.

在明朝时期,有一年农历新年,倭寇在福建沿海一带,杀人抢夺。

Seeing that the Japanese pirates were about to catch up, the villagers hid in the sugarcane plantation ahead, successfully avoiding the pirates and escaping the gate of hell.

眼见倭寇就要追上,乡民匆匆躲入前方蔗林,顺利避过倭寇,逃过鬼门关。

The villagers believed that the Jade Emperor had protected them from the disaster, so they began to worship the Jade Emperor in the early morning of the ninth day of the Chinese New Year every year to thank the Jade Emperor for saving their lives.

乡民认为是天公保佑他们逃过灾难,于是每年大年初九凌晨便开始祭拜天公,答谢救命之恩。

On the day the Fujian people worship the Jade Emperor, sugarcane is indispensable. 

福建人在拜天公当日,少不了甘蔗。

This means they never forget the kindness of the sugarcane plantation they hid, which saved their lives.

代表不忘蔗林藏身救命之恩。

Wednesday, 5 February 2025

Red Envelop 红包

Singapore

新加坡

Today is the eighth day of the Chinese New Year, also known as the "Grain Day Festival".

今天是大年初八,也被称为“谷日节”。

In traditional farming culture, this day is regarded as the birthday of millet (grain) and is a symbol of agriculture and grain harvest.

传统农耕文化中,这一天被视为谷子(五谷)的生日,是农业与五谷丰收的象征。

A good harvest means the content inside the red envelopes will be more significant.

丰收意味着红包里的内容会更有意义。

Today’s red envelopes are no longer limited to red.

如今的红包不再局限于红色。

The custom of giving red envelopes in Singapore: Unmarried people (regardless of age) can receive them.

新加坡发红包的习俗:未婚者(不分年龄)都可以收。

Tuesday, 4 February 2025

Human Victory Festival 人胜节

Singapore - Yishun (Spring Splendor)

新加坡 — 义顺(春临义顺)

Today is the seventh day of the Chinese New Year, or "Human Day".

今天是大年初七又称“人日“。


Legend has it that this day is the birthday of humankind, that is, humans’ birthday.

传说这天是人类的诞辰日,即人的生日。


The "Human Day" record was first seen in "Zhanshu", written by Dongfang Shuo of the Western Han Dynasty.

“人日”的记载,最早见于西汉东方朔的《占书》。


The book mentions that in addition to "Human Day," there are also "six animal and five grain days."

书中提及除“人日”外,还有六畜与五谷之日。


According to folklore, Nuwa created humans on the seventh day after creating chickens, dogs, sheep, pigs, cows, horses and other animals.

民间传说女娲初创世,在造出了鸡、狗、羊、猪、牛、马等动物后,于第七天造出了人。


In the Jin Dynasty, the custom of "Human Victory" appeared when cutting ribbons in human form.

至晋朝,兴起剪彩为人形的“人胜”习俗。


In the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, "Human Day" changed to "Human Victory Festival".

南朝梁时,“人日”转变为“人胜节”。


The "Human Victory Festival" was unprecedentedly grand in the Tang Dynasty, and the emperor often entertained officials.

唐朝,“人胜节”盛况空前,皇帝常宴请群臣。


After the Song Dynasty, the "Human Victory Festival" gradually declined and was rarely mentioned in literary works.

宋朝以后,“人胜节”逐渐衰落,鲜少被文学作品提及。


The seventh day of the Chinese New Year, "Human Day," also gradually faded from public view.

大年初七“人日”也渐渐淡出公众视野。


The seventh day of the Chinese New Year, "Human Day", is an important festival in Chinese traditional customs.

大年初七“人日”是中国传统习俗中的重要节日之一。


"Human Day" has a history of at least two thousand years.

“人日”拥有至少二千年以上的历史。


The core idea of "Human Day" is to pray for people's health and social harmony.

“人日”的核心思想,即祈愿人民安康、社会和谐。


It is believed that going out to pay New Year greetings on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year is inappropriate.

民间认为初七不宜外出拜年。


There is a taboo against bathing on "Human Day" because traditional folk customs believe that water is closely related to "wealth" and "humanity".

“人日”有不洗浴的禁忌,因为传统民俗认为,水与“财气”、“人丁”息息相关。


Water symbolises wealth: bathing will "wash away" wealth.

水为财源象征:洗澡会“洗走”财运。


Bathing damages the "human body": Legend states that when Nuwa created humans, the soil solidified in seven days.

沐浴损“人丁”:传说女娲造人时,泥土需七日方能固形。


Food customs of "Human Day": seven-treasure soup, longevity noodles, and dumplings.

“人日”的饮食习俗:七宝羹、长寿面、饺子。


The Japanese eat seven-grass porridge on the "Human Day".

日本人于“人日”会吃七草粥。


"Human Day" does not do four things: do not do needlework, do not scold children, do not quarrel with others, and do not move.

“人日”四不做:不动针线、不训孩童、不与人争、不迁居动土。

Monday, 3 February 2025

Send Poverty Day 送穷日

Singapore

新加坡

Today is the sixth day of the Chinese New Year, or "Send Poverty Day".

今天是大年初六又称“送穷日”。

Legend has it that Nuwa created the horse on the sixth day of the first lunar month, which is also known as "Horse Day."

传说女娲在正月初六这一天创造了马,所以也叫“马日”。


Taking advantage of today as "Send Poverty Day", quickly discard all the old things at home.

趁今天是“送穷日”,快快把家里的旧物都给扔掉。

Do my bit for the environment by placing cardboard and paper products into the recycling bin.

将纸板和纸制品放入回收箱,为环境尽一份力。

Sunday, 2 February 2025

Receive The God Of Wealth 接财神

Singapore

新加坡

Today is the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, welcoming the God of Wealth!

今天是大年初五,迎财神!


The fifth day of the Chinese New Year is also known as "Breaking Five".

大年初五也俗称“破五”。


From New Year's Eve to the fifth day of the Chinese New Year, many rules and taboos can be broken today, which is why it is called "Breaking Five."

从除夕至初五,许许多多的规矩和禁忌,今天可以打破,因此,有了“破五”之称。


Businessmen usually rush to be the first to receive the God of Wealth (11pm to 1am) when the fourth day of the Chinese New Year enters the midnight hour of the fifth day of the Chinese New Year.

做生意的商人通常会在初四进入初五的子时(晚上11点到凌晨1点)抢先迎接财神。


Welcoming the Five Gods of Wealth home, let your business prosper and money roll in.

把五路财神迎回家,让生意兴隆、财源滚滚。


Anyone who reads this article will become extremely wealthy.

读过这篇文章的人都会变得大富大贵。

Saturday, 1 February 2025

Chinese New Year 2.0 华人新年

Singapore - Gardens By The Bay (River Hongbao 2025)

新加坡 — 滨海湾花园(春到河畔2025)

Today is the fourth day of the Chinese New Year.

今天是大年初四。


Putian people's custom is to celebrate the Chinese New Year for the second time on this day.

莆田人的习俗是在这一天二次过年。


Where did the custom of celebrating the Chinese New Year on the fourth day of the lunar month come from in Putian?

莆田初四过大年的习俗到底是怎么来的?


In the 41st year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1562), Xinghua prefecture was invaded by Japanese pirates on the twenty-ninth of the eleventh month of the lunar month night and was occupied for two months.

明代嘉靖四十一年(1562),兴化府城在农历十一月二十九晚被倭寇攻陷,并被占据达两个月之久。


Until the anti-Japanese hero Qi Jiguang arrived with reinforcements, Xinghua prefecture was recovered.

直到抗倭英雄戚继光增援兵到,兴化府城得以光复。


On the second day of the second lunar month, the people who fled to the mountains returned home one after another.

二月初二逃亡山区的老百姓,才纷纷返回家里。


At that time, the Chinese New Year had passed, and people had to visit one another on the second day of the second lunar month and then celebrate the Chinese New Year on the fourth day of the second lunar month.

当时,年节已过,人们只得在二月初二那天互相探望之后,于二月初四补过年。


To commemorate this tragic day, the people of Putian celebrated Chinese New Year's Eve on the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, as usual.

为纪念莆田这一段悲惨的日子,莆田民间和以往一样,于农历十二月三十日夜过除夕。


People agreed to bring forward the celebration of the Chinese New Year from the fourth day of the second lunar month to the fourth day of the first lunar month.

人们约定将农历二月初四补年,改为正月初四过年。


People readdress the night of the Chinese New Year's Eve as a "small year" and the night of the fourth day of the first lunar month as a "big year".

人们将年三十晚上改为“做小岁”,正月初四晚上称为“做大岁”。


Xinghua people have a bowl of noodles for breakfast on the first day of the Chinese New Year.

兴化人在大年初一的早饭每人一碗面线。


This particular custom implies the acute pain of history.

这种特别习俗隐含着历史的剧痛。