{"id":60,"date":"2023-01-20T22:45:50","date_gmt":"2023-01-21T03:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/theangelwriterspiritualreal\/?p=60"},"modified":"2024-10-10T23:17:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T03:17:45","slug":"lunar-new-year-2023-its-more-than-just-a-chinese-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/theangelwriterspiritualreal\/2023\/01\/lunar-new-year-2023-its-more-than-just-a-chinese-holiday\/","title":{"rendered":"Lunar New Year 2023: It’s more than just a Chinese holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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Image courtesy of WikiCommons.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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What we all know that Chinese New Year<\/a><\/strong> is celebrated by various Chinese communities<\/a><\/strong> around the world .\u00a0 It is the biggest holiday of the year and with good reason.\u00a0 There are rich traditions, customs and foods that have symbolic meanings including the year itself, which is represented by an animal. This year the Lunar New Year<\/strong><\/a> is celebrated starting January 22 with 2023 as the Year of the Rabbit<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

In China<\/strong><\/a> and other Chinese communities around the world<\/a><\/strong>, the lunar new year holiday<\/strong><\/a> is celebrated for at least 15 days.\u00a0 Other Asian countries<\/a> <\/strong>also celebrate this holiday but not as long.\u00a0 These countries include most Asian nations<\/a><\/strong> such as\u00a0 South Korea, Vietnam, and even Singapore<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 \u00a0This article is going to briefly look at these various Lunar New Year traditions<\/a><\/strong> and customs that not only covers Chinese culture<\/a><\/strong> but also the other Asian cultures<\/a><\/strong> just mentioned.<\/p>\n

Traditions of the Lunar New Year in Asian Communities<\/strong><\/h3>\n Of all the countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year<\/a><\/strong>, China, Taiwan<\/a> <\/b>and other Chinese-based communities in the United States and around the world have the strongest traditions and superstitions<\/strong><\/a>. in bringing in good luck and fortune for the new year<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>.\u00a0 However other Asian communities<\/a> <\/strong>also have their own traditions that are worth comparing and contrasting.<\/p>\n Here are the following:<\/p>\n Food: Not just for consumption, but symbology<\/span><\/h3>\n In all Asian<\/span> countries<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>, food plays a huge role in everyday life.\u00a0 In some cases, the greeting is not \u2018Hi, how are you doing?\u201d but \u201cHi.\u00a0 Have you had something to eat?\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s their own form of hospitality.\u00a0 With celebrations,\u00a0 food becomes more than what you eat for a meal.\u00a0 Each dish prepared has a special meaning.\u00a0 For the Lunar New Year<\/strong>,<\/a> that special meaning translates to attracting good luck, long life, and fortune.<\/p>\n In the Chinese tradition<\/a><\/strong> for example, they have a dessert called tangyuan<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, which is a cold, sweet red bean soup ball dish.\u00a0 The word itself sounds like the word reunion.\u00a0 \u00a0It makes sense because when this dish is made, particularly the rice balls, friends and family come together to create this unique dish (even some that have not seen each other for a long time).<\/p>\n There are also various traditions that eat some form of rice cake<\/a> <\/strong>or another. They range from round discs to small tubes.\u00a0 They represent success and going forward into one additional year.\u00a0 As an example where this is significant, we turn to Korean culture.<\/a> <\/strong> For not only the Lunar New Year<\/span><\/a>,<\/strong> which they call seollal<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, and once January 1 turns on the calendar, all families eat a special \u00a0rice cake soup called dokkuk<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 <\/em>When eating this dish, it is said that one becomes a year older.\u00a0 So, instead of celebrating your birthdate every year, why not just add a year when it\u2019s the next year automatically?<\/p>\n Dumplings are also quite common in all Asian dishes<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 They symbolize the exchange of the old and the new year<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 <\/strong>Regardless of the country and filling, they are fun to make with the family and very delicious fried, boiled, or in soups.\u00a0 The most common types of dumplings are pork or pork with scallions.\u00a0 However, you can also find recipes for other fillings such as chicken, kimchee, and glass noodles with meat.<\/p>\n Just as in Italian culture,\u00a0noodles are very important to the Lunar New Year celebration <\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 They symbolize long life and prosperity.\u00a0 The longer the noodles, the longer the life and more prosperity you will have. Even if cutting the noodles so they can be eaten easily works best for you, remember it\u2019s very taboo and bad luck to do so.\u00a0 Why? Because it is said that your life could be cut short.\u00a0 So, if you are making any hot dishes with noodles and toppings, hot soups, etc., remember not to cut them.<\/p>\n Fish and seafood are usually the main meat in Asian cooking<\/a> <\/strong>during this special time of year.\u00a0They symbolize wealth and good fortune.\u00a0 It is why most restaurants have fish decorations or a fish tank by their door.\u00a0 In feng shui<\/strong><\/a>, having a fish symbol anywhere near the entrance of a place of business or even the home means that money will be flowing your way.\u00a0 \u00a0In China<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0 steamed fish is the common dish at a Lunar New Year<\/strong><\/a> meal.<\/p>\n Round fruits are another type of symbolic fruit\u00a0 <\/span>are seen around the house and on tables in most Asian households<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Any round shapes in Asian culture<\/a><\/strong> mean a constant circle and flow of life. Tangerines and mandarin oranges symbolize prosperity and abundance<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 They are not only eaten as a dessert or snack, but also given as gifts.\u00a0 Two oranges are usually given to guests of a host to symbolize double happiness and blessings<\/a><\/strong>. <\/strong><\/p>\n Decorations to bring in the good vibes<\/strong><\/h3>\n The idea of feng shui<\/a><\/strong> was stated earlier in this article.\u00a0 This is the art and placement of objects, decorations, etc. around a business or home to help create the right flow of energy.\u00a0 If any part of the room or the place itself is stagnant, it means that something might be blocked or poorly placed which can cause some misfortune (most oftentimes serious health issues).\u00a0 \u00a0 With the Lunar New Year<\/a><\/strong>, decorating to bring in a good flow and good fortune becomes even more important.<\/p>\n The Chinese<\/a><\/strong> are masters at this decorating idea.\u00a0 \u00a0They \u00a0believe in decorating with the color red to not only symbolizes luck but to scare any monsters and demons away.\u00a0 Interestingly, this color (and not white) is worn at a wedding \u00a0to symbolize good luck in the marriage according to cultural rules.\u00a0 The more red there is, the more luck is gained.\u00a0 Yellow is also a big color as it symbolizes fortune and money.\u00a0 There are also certain signs, symbols and animals that need to be put on walls and doors to welcome in the New Year<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 This includes dragons<\/a><\/strong>, the sign for spring, and even the animal for which the year will be celebrated.<\/p>\n In Vietnam<\/strong><\/a>, where they celebrate a form of the Lunar New Year called Tet<\/a><\/strong>, flowers and plants are big decoration items that can be found around the house as well as in places of business.\u00a0 It\u2019s common to get peach and apricot blossoms which bring in good fortune and new beginnings. Vietnamese<\/a><\/strong> also use the color red, lanterns, and even stickers to honor the holiday.<\/p>\n Clothing is more than just everyday fashion<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s not only ok to buy new clothing during the Lunar New Year<\/a><\/strong>, but it is a tradition to wear them as well.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because it means one is making a new start.\u00a0 In Chinese-based cultures<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0 wearing and buying red clothing is the most obvious (since it is the lucky color. \u00a0\u00a0However, if you are thinking about buying new shoes, don\u2019t.\u00a0 It is considered bad luck because the word for shoes almost sounds like the Chinese word<\/a><\/strong> for someone sighing negatively.<\/p>\n In Korea<\/a><\/strong>, new clothing and high-fashion are the norm.\u00a0 In fact, it the most fashionable countries<\/a><\/strong> in Asia, if not the world.\u00a0 So, while buying new clothing is no big deal, what is a big deal is the clothing one needs to wear during the Lunar New Year holiday<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 That is known as the hanbok<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 This is a piece of traditional clothing that men, women, and children wear for all Korean holidays<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 It is very similar to the kimono in Japan<\/a><\/strong> but more complex and artistic.<\/p>\n Honoring Ancestors (both living and the dead)<\/strong><\/h3>\n Every Asian culture<\/strong><\/a> has their own way of honoring their ancestors<\/a><\/strong> (both living and dead). For the the living ancestors, and especially with the oldest, there is the tradition of begging for money by the younger generation and especially children. In China<\/a><\/strong>, its asking for money in a red envelope or packet (also known as hongbao<\/em><\/strong><\/a> \u00a0in Mandarin.\u00a0 Most other Chinese-based countries<\/strong><\/a> such as Vietnam, Taiwan,<\/a> <\/strong>etc. do the same but in their own ways.\u00a0 White envelopes<\/strong><\/a> are given in Korea<\/a><\/strong> as lucky money in an event called sebae<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n In Vietnam<\/strong><\/a>, as well as most other Asian countries, going to, cleaning and decorating an ancestor\u2019s grave <\/strong><\/a>is good karma.\u00a0 As they are cleaning the graves, they also spend time with them by talking to their loved ones and in some cases, offer a toast and prayers.\u00a0 Taiwan<\/a><\/strong> has a special day for cleaning the headstones and tombs called Tomb Sweeping Day<\/a><\/strong> for this same purpose.<\/p>\n Rice cake<\/strong>s<\/a> are also used as offerings to the ancestors to not only invite them to eat their share of the food first, but also for their blessings into the coming year.\u00a0 In Korean culture <\/a><\/strong>\u00a0in particular, rice cakes<\/a><\/strong> are offered in a special ceremony called \u00a0jesa<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>along with other various foods where the family pays a special homage to those that came before them.\u00a0 After the ceremony is done, the family then gathers to eat their portion of the meal.<\/p>\n New Year taboos that you should know about<\/strong><\/h3>\n There are several things one must not do when celebrating the Lunar New Year<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 The will not only cancel out all the good luck you are trying to bring into the household (as stated above), but they also create more bad luck<\/a><\/strong> than you intended.<\/p>\n It\u2019s obvious that Chinese culture<\/strong> <\/a>would have the most taboos.\u00a0 The include not saying words that sound similar to death or other negativity.\u00a0 Using sharp objects is a no-go because it symbolizes cutting and separation.\u00a0 Washing, bathing or any kind of cleaning especially on the first day of the lunar new year<\/a><\/strong> because it means that you\u2019ll be washing away all the good luck that you\u2019re wishing for or gathered the previous year.<\/p>\n Korean culture<\/a><\/strong> has some interesting taboos.\u00a0 As in Chinese culture, washing ones hair is bad luck once the holiday starts.\u00a0 \u00a0There is however an interesting taboo<\/strong><\/a> that need to take note.\u00a0 For example, as with staying up to countdown to midnight during the regular New Year countdown, Koreans<\/strong><\/a> do the same except that you need to stay up more than just midnight.\u00a0 It is said that the longer you stay awake at the beginning of the new year, the younger you will be.\u00a0 If you go to bed at midnight, consider your aging process to accelerate.<\/p>\n In Vietnam<\/strong><\/a>, there are also various superstitions that are similar to Chinese and Korean culture<\/a><\/strong> such as breaking dishes, knives, etc.\u00a0 \u00a0One of their unique taboos where it is not a good idea to give away water or fire.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 They are both essential elements that represent luck, fortune and bounty.\u00a0 They also have a saying about \u201cmoney flowing like water\u201d<\/a> <\/strong>which means if you give some of that water away, you are interrupting the flow of fortune.<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n The Lunar New Year<\/strong> <\/a>is a very special holiday season.\u00a0 It is a time of celebration.\u00a0 It is a time to do away with the negative and bring something positive in.\u00a0 As we are hopeful with\u00a0 the turning of January first of our new year, the Lunar New Year<\/a><\/strong> presents the same philosophy.<\/p>\n In this article, we looked at some of those various aspects of what makes up a Lunar New Year<\/strong><\/a>, not just from what is known in Chinese cultur<\/strong>e<\/a> that everyone seems to be familiar with, but also that of other countries that are quite well-known such as Vietnam and Korea<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0 This article is just scratching the surface of East Asia\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> rich traditions and culture.<\/p>\n If you would like to learn more about the Lunar New Year<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0 do your research.\u00a0 Click on the links in the article, watch YouTube videos, and even talk to those you know who are of Asian descent.\u00a0 Not only will you gain a more open mind to other holidays, but you could end up celebrating the New Year twice:\u00a0 once on January first and also the Lunar New Year<\/strong><\/a> (and maybe age a bit too).<\/p>\n About Susan:<\/strong><\/p>\n Susan is a fan of music and culture and kind of considers herself that way.\u00a0 To get to know a little more about her, as well as future updates, you can find her at the links below:<\/p>\n My Patheos Column<\/a><\/p>\n Visit my Facebook author page<\/a>.<\/p>\n and Website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 \u00a0 What we all know that Chinese New Year is celebrated by various Chinese communities around the world .\u00a0 It is the biggest holiday of the year and with good reason.\u00a0 There are rich traditions, customs and foods that have symbolic meanings including the year itself, which is represented by an animal. This year […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4872,"featured_media":108,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,6,12],"tags":[135,15,138,18],"class_list":["post-60","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chinese-new-year","category-culture","category-lunar-new-year","tag-chinese-culture","tag-chinese-new-year","tag-chinese-based-cultures","tag-lunar-new-year"],"yoast_head":"\nLunar New Year 2023: It's more than just a Chinese holiday<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What we all know that Chinese New Year is celebrated by various Chinese communities around the world .\u00a0 It is the biggest holiday of the year...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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