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The second day of Lunar New Year, also known as "Kai Nian" in Chinese, is a significant day for Chinese communities worldwide, including Singapore, where a sizable portion of the population celebrates this festival.
Traditionally, the second day is known as the "beginning of the year" and was when businesses would typically start after the new year festivities. It is also considered an auspicious day for married daughters to visit their birth families, as it was one of the few times in the year when they could do so.
In modern Singaporean context:
Family Reunions: Families continue to gather for reunion meals on the second day. This often involves visiting the homes of relatives and extended family members.
Visiting Married Daughters: Following tradition, married daughters may visit their parents' home with their husbands. These visits are accompanied by gift exchanges and red packets (Ang Pao).
Lo Hei (Yu Sheng): Many participate in "Lo Hei," a traditional activity involving tossing a raw fish salad called Yu Sheng while shouting auspicious phrases to bring in good luck.
Open Houses: Some families host open houses where friends and extended family are invited to visit and celebrate together.
Lion Dances & Firecrackers: Performances such as lion dances are common, believed to bring prosperity and good fortune. Although firecrackers are banned in Singapore for safety reasons, some mimic this tradition with other forms of loud festive music or recordings.
On this day, businesses traditionally offer their first prayers to deities and ancestors, wishing for prosperity and good fortune in the year ahead. In modern practice, while many businesses remain closed during public holidays, some may choose to begin operations on this day following a symbolic ritual or ceremony.
