Lunar New Year is also sometimes known as Chinese New Year, this year is the year of the Dragon. The year of the dragon is based on  the Chinese zodiac, and some of these Zodiacs include the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Lunar new year is a 15 day celebration that is celebrated by many cultures. In homes, people put red paper cuttings up on the doors, set up magnificent feasts, and go to beautiful lantern festivals. 

Traditions

There are many traditions that are celebrated throughout the Lunar New Year. Some of these traditions are like the lion dance, the dragon dance, eating feasts, flowers, gambling, playing traditional games, and cherishing your ancestors. The dragon dance originated for the Han Dynasty to worship ancestors and pray for the rain. Although it is not as often used as the traditional way for warships, it is still performed for entertainment. The dragon represents power, good fortune, power, and strength, and is often seen as a way to scare away monsters. The lion dance is over 100 years old originating from the Three Kingdoms Period. The dance is performed to ward off evil and bring good fortune, and the lion represents strength, stability and superiority. 

Culture

Culture is a huge part of the Lunar New Year. There are many customs and rules that people follow throughout the 15 day period. Some customs are the New Years Eve dinner, fireworks, Shou Sui, Red Envelopes, New Year Markets, cleaning, and decorations. For the rules, the rules mainly apply on the specific first day of the celebration. 

Rules for the First day of Lunar New Year:

– No washing clothes or hair or bathing

– No sweeping the floor or taking out the trash

– No eating congee or porridge

– You cannot make someone get out of bed

– Do not greet someone for Lunar New Year while they are still in bed

– Avoid using sharp objects like needles, knives or scissors

– Don’t say unlucky words, don’t scold children

– Do not get your hair cut

– Don’t press for payment of debt 

– Younger people should bow to older people

– When giving money as a gift, the amount should be even insead of odd

Food

As one of the many special traditions is eating feasts, food is a very key component. Foods that are eaten often have meaning behind them. For instance, dumplings, eggrolls, and spring rolls are eaten for wealth, noodles are eaten for longevity, rice balls are eaten for reunion, and fruits such as mandarin oranges are eaten for luck. Although these are very common foods in China, other places have special foods too. So many places have different foods like Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and Thailand. There’s Toshikoshi Soba, Kuri-Kinton, and Kazunoko from Japan, Banh Chung, Mut Hoa Qua, and Banh Tet from Vietnam, Tteokguk, Munduguk, and Kimchi Mandu from Korea, and Thai Fish Cakes, Tod Mun Pla, and Satay Chicken from Thailand. 

Lunar New Year is an amazing celebration celebrated throughout the world. Whether you’re White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, or Middle Eastern, you too can celebrate Lunar New Year. With all its culture and traditions, there is so much room to celebrate. So whatever you do remember that the new year, the year of the Dragon awaits us. 

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