Every country and every individual celebrates the Lunar New Year a little differently with traditions.
This February 1 marks the Lunar New Year, a celebration that comes from Asia and takes place on the second new moon after the winter solstice.
This event is held in a big way in China, where they also celebrate the Spring Festival, which lasts up to 15 days. In South Korea the festivities last for three days.
The also known as Chinese New Year is related to the zodiac, which is why the name of an animal is always taken into account. This year marks the arrival of the Tiger.
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What are the Lunar New Year traditions?
Every country and every individual celebrates the Lunar New Year a little differently with distinctive traditions, foods, and festivities, but here are a few you can experience.
Cleaning the house It makes sense to welcome a new era with a clean, and those who celebrate the Lunar New Year often prepare for the holiday by cleaning literally every corner of their house, or at least trying to.
Offering Greetings While we greet people in January with a basic “Happy New Year” in the West, various Asian countries have different sayings in their respective languages. In Korea, to honor the elderly, people say "Saehae bok mani badeuseyo", which means, "Please receive a lot of good fortune for the New Year."
Reunion with family Like any other major holiday, Lunar New Year is a time to be with loved ones, and for many, it's the only time of year they travel back to see their families.
Giving and Receiving Red Envelopes Nothing signifies the Lunar New Year in pop culture more than little red envelopes adorned with gold and filled with cash. During a visit to elderly relatives, people are often given money in these red envelopes, known as Hónɡ bāo in China.
Shopping for new clothes To freshen up the wardrobe and prepare to impress grandparents, people celebrating the Lunar New Year sometimes buy and wear new traditional clothes. In Korea, people wear a traditional outfit called Hanbok for formal occasions and holidays, including the Lunar New Year. Women's hanbok consists of a long skirt and a short jacket with colorful patterns and lustrous materials. In China, women may wear Qípáo or Cheongsam, a high-necked and often short-sleeved dress, for the holiday.
