Last Friday, people from different East and Southeast Asian countries celebrated the Lunar New Year: the beginning of a new year according to the traditional lunar calendar. This special holiday is typically observed from the first new moon until the first full moon, lasting a total of fifteen days! The Lunar New Year was first celebrated in China during the Shang Dynasty, over three thousand years ago. The ancient Chinese would start the new year with ceremonies honoring their gods and ancestors. Later on, the cultural and economic boom from the Tang, Song, and Qing dynasties shifted the focus of the holiday from religious purposes to entertainment and social enjoyment. This shift introduced a wide variety of new traditions, which many still follow to this day.

One of the most common customs people observe is a thorough house cleaning. This practice is supposed to rid one of the bad luck and misfortune that has accumulated over the past year to usher in the good luck of the new year. Another common practice is eating “lucky” foods. In China, for example, many eat dumplings because they symbolize wealth; the shape of dumplings is similar to that of ancient Chinese money. Usually, people will also try to visit friends and family—many even take the time to eat an extravagant dinner together.

On the fifteenth day, everyone participates in the Lantern Festival- a time-honored tradition celebrating peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness. This tradition stems from an old Chinese legend about a horned monster with sharp teeth called Nian(年兽). This beast supposedly lived in the depths of the ocean and would emerge at the end of every year to terrorize local villages. The only way to drive it off was to hang colorful lanterns and red paper and create loud noises. As a result, people now add these festive red decorations around their houses and light firecrackers and fireworks. Another important legend is the story of the zodiac. According to legend, an ancient supernatural deity called the Jade Emperor invited all the animals of the world to compete in a race. The participants would each get a year in the calendar named after them, with the order determined by what place they got. Twelve animals turned up to compete in the race: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. As a result, the lunar calendar goes through a full zodiac cycle every twelve years. This year is the year of the Ox! 

The Lunar New Year festivities are enjoyed by people in many Asian countries. The original traditions have roots in Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Tibet. Due to migration, celebrations now also take place in Vietnam, Mongolia, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Mauritius, and Tibet. These countries have also adopted their names for the holiday: Tibetan Losar, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Seollal, the Chinese Spring festival, Japanese New Year, and Mongolian Tsagaan Sar are but a few of many examples. All of these variations follow the same calendar and happen on the same days, but each of them differs in some celebratory ways. In all countries, towns and houses are decorated, people dress up in cultural clothes, cook food and enjoy the festivities with their families. In countries with large Chinese and Vietnamese populations, the red envelope tradition is quite common. Indonesian people give their friends and families gifts to celebrate the festival. Many Asian countries also have performances and dances in the streets, which brings together large groups of people in good spirits for a festive and enjoyable time. Many countries also have streets covered in red, since it is considered an auspicious color.

This incredibly popular and widespread festival lifts spirits and brings people and families together every year. The Lunar New Year is extraordinarily rich in centuries-old culture and tradition, which hasn’t been broken by the ongoing pandemic. Some have decided to meet family and friends in smaller groups to limit contact, while others chose to meet virtually. In Southeast Asia, festivities have been toned-down to accommodate social distancing policies. Many have also tuned in to televised celebrations of the holiday. The Lunar New Year signifies a change in fortune and a wish for prosperity in the months to come. In such harrowing times, it’s nice to step back from all the stress and turmoil, connect with our loved ones, and rekindle our faith in a brighter tomorrow.