Lunar New Year

Firecrackers are a tradition that dates back to an ancient Chinese myth about the monster Nian, who terrorized villages every New Year.

Villagers learned that loud noises and red decorations scared Nian away, so they began setting off firecrackers to welcome the new year and ward off evil spirits.

Today, this tradition represents joy and good fortune for the coming year, although firecracker use is restricted in some areas for safety.

The loud sounds and flashes still capture Nian’s essence, symbolizing protection against bad luck.

Red envelopes, or hóngbāo, are filled with money and given during Lunar New Year to bring good luck.

Red symbolizes joy and energy in Chinese culture, so these envelopes bring blessings.

But colors have specific meanings: black or white envelopes would be considered bad luck since these colors are associated with mourning.

In Vietnam, similar envelopes are used, though sometimes in yellow, representing prosperity. The amount given must avoid the number four, as it sounds like “death” in Mandarin.

In China, fish is served to represent prosperity, but it must be left unfinished to symbolize surplus.

In Korea, people eat tteokguk (rice cake soup), believing it adds a year to their age. Singaporeans toss yu sheng, a colorful raw fish salad, for good fortune.

Each ingredient has specific symbolism, such as carrots for blessings. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, circular fruits symbolize wealth, while people in Vietnam eat sticky rice cakes bánh chưng, symbolizing earth and unity.

Lunar New Year follows the lunar calendar, which is based on moon cycles rather than the solar year.

It typically falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, around late January to mid-February. This system means the holiday moves yearly within this range, unlike the Gregorian calendar.

The lunar calendar aligns with natural cycles, influencing farming and traditional events in many Asian cultures. The exact date is calculated with the help of astronomy and lunar phases.

In North Korea, Lunar New Year (called Seollal) is celebrated less openly, with low-key gatherings and official events emphasizing national pride.

In contrast, South Koreans celebrate with charye (ancestral rites), family gatherings, and games like yut nori. Families in both countries eat tteokguk, yet South Korea’s celebrations are more festive and widespread.

The two Koreas share some customs, but political contexts shape each celebration.

Each year in the Chinese Zodiac has an animal from a 12-year cycle, like the Rat, Ox, and Tiger.

Legends say these animals raced for a place in the cycle, with each finishing based on traits like strength, cunning, and perseverance.

People born in each year are thought to share qualities with the year’s animal, like Rabbits being gentle or Tigers courageous.

These animals also represent elements, creating complex associations that influence personality traits.

Cleaning before Lunar New Year is thought to remove last year’s bad luck, preparing for a fresh start.

However, on New Year’s Day itself, cleaning is taboo. Sweeping or dusting might “sweep away” good fortune. In Hong Kong, some families store brooms and mops to prevent accidental cleaning.

This custom varies, but most Asian countries that observe Lunar New Year follow similar “no cleaning” rules to avoid disrupting incoming luck.

Tet is the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, known as Tết Nguyên Đán, meaning “Festival of the First Morning of the First Day.”

This holiday overlaps with Chinese New Year but has unique customs, like making and eating bánh chưng and honoring ancestors with special altar decorations.

Vietnamese families also decorate their homes with peach or apricot blossoms, symbolizing luck and renewal. The name “Tet” is distinctive to Vietnam, reflecting local language and cultural practices.

Many believe cutting hair during Lunar New Year cuts away fortune, so barbers are busy before the holiday. In Korea, some avoid using knives on New Year’s Day, fearing it “cuts away” good luck. Wearing black is also avoided in some regions, as it signifies mourning. Meanwhile, Filipinos believe in jumping at midnight to grow taller, and in Hong Kong, placing oranges around the house attracts wealth. Each region has its own special twists.