Wynn Magazine - Las Vegas
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/49393
MACAU SPOTLIGHT FROM LEFT: Wynn Macau president Ian Coughlan at the eye-dotting ceremony; a dragon performance at the resort entrance Wing Lei's fare will include braised, red-spotted grouper, representing prosperity, since the Chinese words for "fish" and "abundance" sound alike. Wing Lei also provides good-fortune cuisine such as sea moss and fish maw, which represent a lot of good fortune for the year ahead. "In keeping with that tradition, Wing Lei is offering steamed sea moss and dried oyster dumplings and steamed chicken and fish maw with abalone sauce on its Chinese New Year menu this year," says Connolly. Wing Lei also offers coconut, turnip, taro, or water chestnut cakes packaged in gift boxes for family and friends. DAY BY DAY THERE ARE 15 DAYS OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR, AND EACH IS CELEBRATED IN A SPECIAL WAY. THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF THE NEW YEAR ARE MOST IMPORTANT. On New Year's Eve, the family comes together for dinner. After dinner, they may go to nearby temples to pray for a prosperous and healthy year ahead. THE FIRST DAY of the New Year is when families visit the most elderly of their extended clan. Young members of the family are often the most "fortunate" at this time of year because married couples must give red packets of money to them for good luck and prosperity. Only positive words can be spoken on the fi rst day of the Chinese New Year, so any words that even sound like a bad word should not be said. For instance, the Chinese term for "lion" sounds like the word for "death," so in place of "lion," people will usually use a much tamer word such as "cat." ON THE SECOND DAY, married daughters visit their birth parents. THE THIRD DAY is known as "the God of Blazing Wrath." In other words, it is not an appropriate day for socializing with family and friends. It's best just to stay at home and rest. Golden Flower restaurant, meanwhile, serves both northern and south- ern Chinese holiday favorites such as braised preserved oysters along with black moss glutinous rice cakes popular with guests from Beijing. In Macau, everyone loves to get into the spirit of the Chinese New Year. What is wonderfully unique to the former Portuguese territory is that cen- turies-old European buildings and churches are also decorated with red lanterns, Chinese New Year greetings, and kumquat trees for the new year. Wynn Macau embraces these time-honored traditions and enjoys sharing the holidays with the local community and guests from around the world. ■ 88 WYNN