The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year (and sometimes referred to as the Spring Festival), is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the first day of the new moon that falls between 21 January and 20 February in the Gregorian Calendar.
Originating from China, it has spread over several East Asian countries where it is also known as (in Japanese) Setsubun in Korean; Vietnamese New Year.
What is Lunar New Year?
The Lunar new year is East Asia’s most important and widely celebrated holiday. It starts a new year in the traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Mongolian calendars. People celebrate this holiday by feasting on traditional foods and watching fireworks displays.
In China, many traditions revolve around this time of year. Some of these include wearing new clothes to signify a fresh start and giving red envelopes full of money to children who have behaved well over the past year. These envelopes are often decorated with drawings of flowers or animals that represent good luck.
When is it celebrated?
The Lunar new year is celebrated between 20th January to 22 February. It’s celebrated in different ways and especially in east Asia. The Lunar unique year celebration is the most important family holiday in China and Korea.
Koreans gather with their families to eat traditional foods. Chinese people also gather with their families to enjoy conventional Lunar new year food such as dumplings, glutinous rice balls, moon cakes, and noodles.
Children receive red envelopes containing money from each member of the family. On the first day of the Lunar new year, businesses and other organizations usually close for a couple of days or weeks. Many events occur in Beijing during this time, including lanterns and fireworks displays on buildings.
The last day of this event is Lantern Festival, where people go to temples or pagodas, light incense sticks, and pray for luck for their loved ones who have passed away.
What are some traditions?
The lunar new year is one of the most important holidays in East Asia, celebrated in many countries like China, Korea, and Vietnam. People observe different traditions around the holiday according to their culture.
For example, Korean families traditionally perform a ritual called Chuseok, which includes placing rice cakes on an altar for ancestors to eat. In Japan and Vietnam, people gather with family or friends to make food offerings for their ancestors and visit their gravesites.
People have different customs, but one thing they all have in common is respect for elders. The lunar new year symbolizes a time of change, growth, and prosperity.
What are some things to do during the Lunar New Year?
1. Get a new outfit for the celebration:
One of the best parts about the Lunar New Year is that you dress up in your best clothes and have fun with your family and friends! It is also customary to give red envelopes with money inside.
2. Make a beautiful meal together with the family:
Celebrating the Lunar New Year includes getting together to make a special meal, such as dumplings or fried rice, and sharing stories about the past year and what you hope for in the future.
3. Give presents to friends and family members:
Give gifts which are younger than you or your parents (elders). This practice is called lai see or giving giveaways.
4. Watch a favorite movie or TV show:
Several new movies and TV shows are constantly being released during this time, so it’s easy to find something enjoyable to watch. A popular tradition is watching an epic martial arts movie like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon or Kung Fu Panda!
5. Spend some time outside with nature:
It’s essential to take time away from electronics on this day and enjoy the natural beauty of the world around you, whether hiking outdoors or taking a walk in a park near your home. You can even write down three things you’re grateful for and put them somewhere prominent in your house so you’re reminded daily.
When is the lunar new year 2023?
The Lunar New Year in 2023 will begin on January 22nd. The date of the Lunar New Year changes each year and is based on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, which follows the moon’s cycles. The holiday is celebrated by many people worldwide, particularly in East and Southeast Asia, and is typically marked with various traditional customs and activities.
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