The Lunar New Year, which this year falls on January 29, 2025, is celebrated widely across different Asian countries and in cities across the globe. Although the holiday’s specific traditions are as diverse as the cultures that celebrate it, the core concepts of renewal, family unity, and cultural pride remain consistent. Here is a look at how the Lunar New Year is celebrated in some of these countries.
China
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China, is a fifteen-day celebration with important traditions and symbols. On New Year’s Eve, families get together for a great feast to enjoy foods like dumplings, fish, and rice cakes. Houses are adorned with red decorations—thought to bring good fortune—and lanterns that are believed to prevent bad luck, while also ushering in prosperity.
Vietnam
This holiday is known as Tết in Vietnam and is considered the most important one of the year. A unique tradition happens on New Year’s Eve when families hold a sacred ritual to honor the Kitchen Gods, who report on the family’s deeds to the Jade Emperor. Additionally, if you are asked to be the first guest of the New Year, you should consider it an honor. Vietnamese families carefully choose who their first guest will be in order to bring good luck.
South Korea
Known as Seollal, the Lunar New Year in South Korea is also a time for family reunions and traditions honoring ancestors. The holiday lasts three days, during which time Koreans typically wear traditional attire called Hanbok and perform Charye, a ceremony to honor their ancestors through food offerings and bowing rituals. A traditional dish of rice cake soup, called Tteokguk, is served to bring good luck.
Philippines
Just as in other countries, the Lunar New Year in the Philippines places an emphasis on family gatherings and customary dishes, such as tikoy—a sweet treat made from rice flour. Decorations must include round fruits, which symbolize abundance and wealth. Filipino children delight in receiving red envelops filled with money called ang pao.
Mongolia
Mongolia’s celebration is deeply rooted to the country’s heritage and nomadic traditions. The holiday is known as Tsagaan Sar, or the White Moon. Families make a point to visit their elders and enjoy a meal together that includes dumplings and gourmet dairy products. Families can also be seen playing a traditional game called shagai (sheep ankle bone) and giving gifts to those who visit, such as scarves or cashmere sweaters.
By Kelli Drummer-Avendano
Also read:
Top 10 Traditions of the Chinese New Year
All About Chinese New Year 2024
