By Sze Wing Ng
As you may know, the Lunar new year, also known as spring festival, is coming soon. It starts on the 29th of January, and lasts for 15 days. This year is known as the year of the snake, according to the zodiac animals, and it symbolizes wisdom, creativity, and transformation. Lunar new year is celebrated in many Asian countries, such as Korea, Japan, Singapore and many more, and it is not just in China which is a big misconception. Here is everything you need to know about it!
History
The Lunar new year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, which tracks the date based on the phases of the moon, unlike the Gregorian Calendar, which the UK uses, and tracks the date based on Earth’s orbit around the sun according to CBBC. It usually begins on the first full moon, which fluctuates from year to year. The zodiac animals represent the twelve years in the Chinese zodiac calendar, and the cycle repeats when all 12 animals had a year. This year is the year of the snake, which is the 6th animal.
Preparation and superstitions
- Do not wash your hair or bathe as it could wash away the good luck in the year.
- Do not use knives or needles to avoid bleeding which can cause bad luck.
- Do not wear black or white as it is usually associated with mourning and death.
- You should have a big house cleaning before the lunar new year and do not sweep on the first day of Lunar new year to avoid carrying your fortune out.
- Putting up spring couplet and a upside down ‘福’ to bring good luck into the house.
Traditions
- In China, people visit relatives’ houses to do new year’s greetings and receive red envelopes which have money in it. Lion and dragon dances are very common to be seen on the streets during Lunar new year. A lantern festival is held at the end of the Lunar new year to mark the end of the spring festival. People eat sweet dumplings on the same day to symbolise a round gathering of families. Fireworks is also a big part of the celebrations
- In Korea, according to Lingopie, they perform charye (ancestral rites), enjoy specific foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup)which can represent growing a year older, and play traditional games like yutnori. They also have fireworks. Typically Koreans wear traditional clothing called the hanbok to mark this important festival.
- In Japan, it follows closely to Chinese traditions and has musical performances, lion dances, dragon dances and a colorful costume parade featuring famous figures from Chinese history.
In conclusion, Lunar new year is a very important festival for east-asian countries and is celebrated widely. I hope you have learnt a lot from traditions, to taboos and superstitions to the lunar new year.