With Lunar New Year approaching, I would like to share a little bit about what this holiday entails. If I were to tell you to imagine what Lunar New Year is like, what would you think of? Chinese Lanterns? Dragon dances?
Well, Lunar New Year is a lot more than how many people imagine it. The holiday is widely celebrated across Asian cultures, such as in China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and more! Due to the vast amount of celebrations going on, there are bound to be some noticeable differences in how different people celebrate Lunar New Year.
Family Reunions
A lot of the time, Lunar New Year is a time for people to gather with their families to eat dinner. In Chinese culture, this meal involves many traditional foods, such as dumplings, noodles, and rice cakes. Since everyone returns to see their family again, businesses and other public activities tend to cease for around two weeks.
Traditions
Some of the traditions that you will see during Lunar New Year are tons of fireworks lighting up the night sky, loud firecrackers, cultural performances, such as the dragon dance, handing out red packets to younger family members, and hanging up tons of red decorations. While there are definitely some more fun traditions, these are the main ones that people like to participate in.
How Can You Celebrate Lunar New Year?
There are a bunch of ways you can be involved in Lunar New Year celebrations. Check if your community or school has any events related to Lunar New Year, which may give you opportunities to involve yourself in traditions and cuisine. You could also try recreating some of the celebrations in your own home. Most importantly, it’s a great idea to reflect on the values that the holiday emphasizes, including family, unity, human connections, and renewal.