Lunar New Year: Celebrations, Traditions and Symbolism

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Tet in Vietnam, is one of the most important holidays in Asia.

The celebrations of this holiday are full of colors, sounds, smells and traditions that reflect deep historical and cultural roots. Each year comes with different elements, but some basic traditions are maintained throughout the centuries. In this article, we will bring you a little closer to this colorful and fascinating celebration.

Basic information about the Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year follows the lunar calendar, meaning it changes every year and can fall on a different day depending on the lunar phases. The lunar calendar is lunar because it follows the phases of the moon. The celebrations of this important holiday begin on the first day of the new moon, when the moon begins to grow and its light gradually increases. This day is often referred to as "Lunar New Year's Day" or "New Moon Day". The celebrations continue until the arrival of the full moon, when the moon is full and its light reaches its maximum degree of brightness and fullness. This time of celebration usually lasts for several days and ends when the moon begins to wane and its light wanes.

This holiday is significant in many Asian countries including China, Vietnam, South Korea and others. In each of these countries, the celebrations of the Lunar New Year differ in their traditions and customs, but they have a common basis and spirit, which is tied to the worship of the past, family unity and hope for a better future. The Lunar New Year celebrations are not only an occasion for celebration and merriment, but also an occasion for reflection, worship of traditions and common sharing of the cultural heritage that unites people in these countries and spreads throughout the world.

Symbolism and meaning

The Lunar New Year is associated with many symbols that bring happiness, prosperity and health in the coming year. For example, the color red is considered lucky and is often used in decorations, clothing and gifts. Other symbols including pumpkins, fish, citrus fruits and bamboo shoots are also common and have their own specific meanings.

Pumpkin is a symbol of wealth and abundance, fish represent prosperity and success, citrus fruits are associated with good health and happiness, and bamboo shoots symbolize longevity and resilience. These symbols are an important part of the Lunar New Year celebrations and create an atmosphere of hope and joy for the coming year.

Celebrations and traditions

Lunar New Year celebrations are rich in various traditions. Families gather to exchange greetings and gifts, with foods such as jiaozi (Chinese dumplings), banh chung (Vietnamese gossip) and tteokguk (Korean rice soup) having a special place in the celebrations. Fireworks, dragon and lion dance, and music also add to the atmosphere at public events.

Before the arrival of the Lunar New Year, many families focus on cleaning and tidying the house to remove the old and welcome the new. This ritual is considered a symbolic act of removing misfortune and accepting new opportunities. Families also decorate their houses with red ornaments and curtains.

Gifts and numbers

In some cultures, gifts are presented in special red wrappers, known as hóngbāo (Chinese) or lì xì (Vietnamese), and often contain money. These red envelopes are a symbol of luck, abundance and prosperity and are traditionally given to younger family members or the unemployed as a sign of support and gratitude. Gifts containing money in red envelopes are considered significant because money symbolizes wealth and success. The red color of the envelope is important not only for its symbolism of happiness, but also for its ability to ward off evil spirits and attract positive energy.

In addition, numbers also play a significant role in choosing gift numbers and in various activities during celebrations. In some Asian cultures, certain numbers are considered lucky while others are considered unlucky. For example, the number 8 is considered very lucky in Chinese culture because it sounds similar to the word "wealth" and "success". Conversely, the number 4 is considered unlucky because it sounds similar to the word "death". Therefore, these cultural and symbolic meanings of numbers are often taken into account when choosing numbers on gifts and when planning various activities to ensure that they bring luck and success to their recipients.

Modern celebrations and cultural continuity

Nowadays, the Lunar New Year celebrations are constantly changing and adapting to modern times. With advancing globalization and technological advancements, many traditional aspects of this holiday are being transformed, while new trends and customs are emerging. Many communities organize spectacular public events where people of different cultures and nationalities come together to celebrate their common heritage. These events often include cultural performances, performances by traditional artists, gastronomic festivals and interactive activities for visitors of all ages. In this way, the Lunar New Year becomes not only an occasion for celebration for individuals and families, but also an opportunity to share and worship the rich cultural heritage of Asia together.

However, despite modern changes, the spirit and deep roots of traditions that are part of the Lunar New Year are preserved. Despite the fact that the ways of celebrating and adapting to new conditions may change, the basic values and symbolism of this holiday remain unchanged. Families still continue with their traditional rituals and customs, passing on cultural heritage from generation to generation. This holiday is not only a time to celebrate, but also a time to reflect, get together and create new memories for the future. Each year brings new opportunities to remember, share joys and hopes for the future, which together form a rich and vibrant tradition of the Lunar New Year.