Lunar New Year's Celebrations, Traditions, and Superstitions

This holiday season also includes celebrating Lunar New Year. For many families in the United States and in several Asian countries, this special time of year brings family and friends together. The Lunar New Year, most commonly associated with the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, typically falls sometime between late January and mid February on the Gregarian calendar. In 2021, the Lunar New Year is on February 12, and it's the Year of the Metal Ox.

It is called the Lunar New Year because it marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendars that are traditional to many East Asian countries, including China and Vietnam, which are regulated by the cycles of the moon and sun. In China, the Lunar New Year celebration kicks off on New Year's Eve with a family feast called a “reunion dinner,” which is full of traditional Lunar New Year foods. During the 15-day celebration starting with January 1 of the lunisolar calendar, a symbolic ritual will take place. The ritual varies somewhat from region to region, and ranges from appealing to the deities to paying respect to the ancestors. Then, the welcoming of the New Year or Spring Festival culminates on January 15 of the lunisolar calendar with the Lantern Festival, and eating of dumplings in the North and sticky rice balls in the South.

The Lunar New Year isn't only observed in China. It is also celebrated across several countries and other territories in Asia, including South Korea and Singapore. In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is known as “Tết,” and in Tibet, it is called “Losar.” In the U.S., though, it is most commonly associated with what is often called “Chinese New Year,” which is the American version of Chinese semi-month-long festivities.

Lunar New Year traditions include hanging special decorations, such as an upside–down calligraphy character called “Fu,” which means “good luck”; the distribution of red envelopes filled with money, typically new cash for good luck; setting off firecrackers or fireworks to ward off evil spirits; and, the Lion Dance and Dragon Dance, traditional performances to scare off evil spirits while praying for good fortune that utilize lion and dragon costumes. There are also many superstitions to prevent bad luck on Lunar New Year that include avoiding arguments, crying, speaking negatively, cutting your hair or using scissors or other sharp tools altogether. In addition, people will wear luck colors, such as red and gold, and avoid wearing dark colors.

Born an Ox?

You approach projects in a step-by-step manner, wanting to do things right the first time. Shy but dependable, you are caring and trustworthy, and never lose sight of your goal.

If you were born in any of these years, you're an Oxen!

1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 For more information about the Lunar New Year and Celebrations around the world, check out the links listed below: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/reference/holidays/lunar-new-year/ https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/chinese-horoscopes/ https://www.thechinesezodiac.org/chinese-new-year-traditions/ https://chinesenewyear.net/ https://www.oprahmag.com/life/a34892893/what-is-lunar-new-year-festival/