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members. If the grandparents are still living, then it would be in that order of seniority. Two mandarin oranges are usually presented to the host together with a greeting such as Xin Nian quai le' which means Happy New Year. The host would then return the gesture with a different set of mandarin oranges. Mandarin oranges symbolise gold nugget from ancient China.

During the celebrations, auspicious words are exchanged. For example, you would say, Good luck for your studies' for a student, May you have a successful career' for a working person, Good health be with you' for the elderly and May your business prosper' for business people.

This is also the time when married couples will give red packet, 'Hong Bao' containing money to children, singles and the elders. It is a symbol of good luck to children for their studies, singles to find the right partner and the elders for good health. The amount of money in the red packet varies usually depending on individual relationship.

There are many code of practice during the Chinese New Year celebrations, which some would call it superstition. Though I don't think there is any truth in it, somehow it is ingrained inside me that I would unconsciously follow the practice.

Some of the practices are:

-Opening windows and doors to bring good luck into the New Year.

-Homes have to be cleaned before the New Year and no one should clean the house especially sweeping the floor on the first day as it will sweep away good fortune for the New Year.

-Black and white is symbol of death and bad luck and should not be worn during the New Year.

-Used words that mean abundance in conversation, avoid words like finished',' loosing', or die'

- Argument and foul language are inappropriate and discourage during the Chinese New Year.

The codes of practices or superstitions are basically to ensure that we all start the year in right. Chinese New Year is a celebration of new begining, a renewed relationship with family and friends.

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