Lunar New Year is a holiday celebrated in numerous cultures that marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. It is usually celebrated at the end of January and the beginning of February. The 2023 Lunar New Year starts on January 22nd and ends on February 1st, marking the beginning of the year of the rabbit and the Vietnamese year of the cat. It’s most commonly celebrated in Asian countries, including but not limited to China, South Korea, and Vietnam.
The Chinese New Year is celebrated for about 15 days with a series of festivals and street fairs. It is also known as the Spring Festival or Chūnjié. Each year corresponds with a different Chinese zodiac, and 2023 is the year of the rabbit. Firecrackers are very popular during the new year because they are believed to scare off evil spirits. Other popular celebrations are the festival of lanterns, dragon dances, lion dances, and family dinners. The dragon dance is performed by a group or team of dancers that move a giant puppet resembling a dragon. The lion dance is executed by dancers in lion costumes. The dances are performed to bring good luck and fortune in the new year.
The Korean New Year, also known as Seollal, is a time to honor ancestors and look forward to prosperity in the new year. Families will wear hanboks: traditional Korean dresses worn for special occasions. An important tradition is sebae, a deep traditional bow to pay respect to elders, usually performed by children. Another tradition during Seollal is Charye, which is a service that respects and worships ancestors.
The Vietnamese New Year celebrates the beginning of a new year and the welcoming of spring and is celebrated for about 5 to 7 days. It’s also known as Tết Nguyên Đán, or Tết for short. Tết is a family-centered holiday, usually celebrated with a feast to welcome relatives and exchange best wishes for the new year. People will make loud noises in the streets to get rid of evil spirits, using drums, firecrackers, bells, and gongs. Parades, festivals, and other events are also very popular.
Most traditions during Lunar New Year symbolize and celebrate prosperity, abundance, and togetherness. Some cultures clean their houses to get rid of unlucky spirits that gathered in the old year to make space for good will and good luck. Others participate in traditional rituals to honor their ancestors and elders. Common traditions during the Lunar New Year include festivals and parades, and the giving of red envelopes with money to symbolize good luck, good fortune, happiness, and abundance.
Credit: CNN
