Presenting

Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 23 Bandi Chhor Divas, a.k.a. the Celebration of Freedom, is a celebration of the day that the sixth Sikh Guru, Hargobind Sahib Ji, was released from Gwalior Prison along with 52 Hindu kings. e guru led all 52 innocent rulers to safety without any signs of war or battle back in 1611 or 1612. e words "Bandi Chhor Divas" mean the liberation of prisoners day. Bandi Chhor Divas is celebrated like Diwali, with homes and temples decorated with flowers, feasts, gift giving and family time. Although specifics as to what types of flowers are used are unconfirmed, we do know that golden-yellow and red flowers are a part of the celebration, including marigolds. It will be celebrated on Oct. 12, 2023, and on Nov. 15, 2024. Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab is a celebration of the birth of the man who would become the first guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539), who founded Sikhism. Flowers again include golden- yellow and red blossoms. However, add-ons could be Indian sweets, dried fruits and candles (yellow and red). A sacred festival, Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab will be celebrated on Nov. 27, 2023, and Nov. 15, 2024. Culture Chinese New Year China has well over 20 holidays or festivals, so we had to narrow things down by looking at the big one, Chinese New Year, perhaps its biggest cultural export to North America (if we don't include the cuisine). It celebrated by anyone who wants to celebrate, but not everyone understands the rules. While we might assume that Chinese New Year is like our Western version—a celebration of a single day— it's not. Chinese New Year is a 15-day celebration, from the eve of the first day of the Lunar New Year through to the end of the Lantern Festival celebrating a full moon—and, as such, the dates float. e celebration is meant to renew the spirit by wiping away the past and welcoming a happy new year with prosperity, good luck and happiness. While most people tend not to celebrate all 15 days, some do, and for your education, each day is celebrated differently ( from chineseamericanfamily.com). Day 1: Celebration of the New Year. Day 2: Visiting family and friends. Day 3: Stay home, because it's supposedly a bad day to socialize. Day 4: Worship the Gods with a big dinner and offerings of food, incense and spirit money, to welcome them to your home to ensure that you have that happy new year. Day 5: Break taboos—where you are now allowed to clean up and empty trash as you welcome the God of Wealth. Day 6: Send away the Ghost of Poverty—well if the God of Wealth is around, send away the Ghost of Poverty by getting rid of old clothes and or all things unwanted. Day 7: Celebrate the creation of humans— the goddess Nu Wa is said to have created humanity from yellow clay, similar in how Adam was created from dust on the ground. On this day, people are expected to eat healthy foods to promote long life. Day 8: Birthday of rice, the staple food of China and all of Asia. Harvest Thoughts Floor Basket by FTD

• Cover