Happy Lunar New Year, and welcome to the year of the Ox!
The ways in which people celebrate and refer to the Lunar New Year differ from country to country. In Vietnam it’s called Tết. In South Korea it’s Seollal (설날). In Tibet it’s Losar (ལོ་གསར་). In China it’s the Spring Festival (春节). Many Asian-Americans may use the westernized term “Chinese New Year” to refer to it, as the origins of the celebration lead back to the Chinese calendar.
Around the world, people celebrate differently, but what is common to all is the opportunity for a fresh start. People often clean their houses and wear new clothes to make room for the good that the new year will bring. This year, the New Year falls on February 12, but the length of the celebration varies depending on each country’s tradition. For example, in China, a typical celebration carries on for fifteen days and each is marked by its own unique tradition.
In a number of East Asian countries, people eat traditional foods, like oranges which are said to be lucky, and long life noodles which, when eaten whole and unbroken, are said to give an individual longevity. The foods people eat, as seen with oranges and long life noodles, are intended to bring something unique to those who consume them. Whether you become luckier, happier, wealthier, or healthier, depends on one’s adherence to the tradition. Spending time, as well as making and enjoying these customs is an important part of Lunar New Year celebrations worldwide.
In a normal year with fewer health restrictions, families gather around to celebrate. Elders traditionally give red envelopes with money inside to their unmarried family members as they exchange well wishes for the year to come. In a year such as 2021, when gathering in large numbers isn’t possible, people can opt to use the growing tradition of sending virtual red envelope money via Paypal or other online money transfer platforms.
Celebrating virtually is a great way to ring in the New Year while adhering to state and county COVID-19 guidelines. If you are looking to plan a virtual Lunar New Year celebration with your friends and family, this Forbes article has some suggestions. If you’re looking for something to do locally, there is a lot to offer. From exploring traditional Lunar New Year celebrations from around the world with the Oakland Asian Cultural Center to hearing the San Francisco Symphony’s in their Chinese New Year Virtual Celebration, there are plenty of opportunities for you to commemorate the occasion.