The Essence of Lunar New Year Celebrations: Family Traditions in Taipei

This article is part of a foreigners’ guide to celebrating the Lunar New Year in Taipei. Read more on The Center website:

https://communitycenter.org.tw/resources/articles/

The Lunar New Year in Taipei is a kaleidoscope of traditions, deeply rooted in family values and cultural practices. This festive season offers a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of Taiwanese culture, especially for foreigners living in the city. For expatriates, engaging in local activities can deepen their understanding of these traditions.

REUNION DINNERS: A FEAST OF TOGETHERNESS

The reunion dinner on Lunar New Year’s Eve is the centerpiece of the celebrations. It’s a time when families gather around the table, sharing a meal that is both a culinary delight and a symbol of unity.

Dishes with Meaning: Each dish served has a special significance. A whole fish, symbolizing surplus and abundance, is a staple. Dumplings, resembling ancient gold ingots,

signify wealth, while sweet rice balls or ‘tangyuan’ represent family togetherness.

Setting and Atmosphere: The setting is equally important, often featuring a round table to symbolize wholeness and unity. Red decorations and tableware add to the festive mood, enhancing the sense of auspiciousness.

RED ENVELOPES (HONGBAO): MORE THAN JUST MONEY

The tradition of giving red envelopes, filled with money, goes beyond financial blessings. It’s a gesture of love, luck, and good wishes from the elders to the younger members of the family.

Designs and Messages: These envelopes are often adorned with symbols like fish (abundance) or the Chinese character ‘Fu’ (happiness), amplifying their good wishes.

The Ritual of Giving: The act of giving and receiving hongbao is accompanied

by blessings and words of wisdom, creating a heartfelt exchange between generations.

TEMPLE VISITS: A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

Visiting temples during the Lunar New Year is a practice that combines spirituality with family bonding.

Offerings and Prayers: Families visit temples to offer incense, pray, and reflect on the past year while seeking blessings for the new one.

The Community Aspect: Temples become hubs of communal activity, with festive decorations, traditional music, and sometimes lion dances, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

DRESSING IN FESTIVE HUES

Dressing up for the Lunar New Year is part of the joy. Red, symbolizing good fortune and joy, is prominently worn.

New Clothes: It’s customary to wear new clothes as a sign of a new beginning.

Accessories: Accessories often include traditional elements or red accents, completing the festive look.

GAMES AND ACTIVITIES: FUN WITH FAMILY

Playing games is a significant aspect of the Lunar New Year, bringing laughter and joy to the household.

Board Games: Traditional Chinese board games like ‘Mahjong’ or ‘Chinese Chess’ are popular.

Interactive Games: Card games, trivia about the zodiac, and activities involving riddles (often found written on lanterns) are engaging ways to involve everyone.

Meet Pia MunkJanson, our Marketing Communication Manager at The Community Services Center! Originally from Denmark, Pia has been a Taipei resident since 2019. With a passion for exploration, Pia has left her mark in London, Copenhagen, and Paris before calling Taiwan home. Her quest to understand the essence of each country's traditions has been a constant, as she believes it's the key to truly connecting with its people and culture.

Lantern Festival 2024 台灣燈會在台南

The 2024 Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held in Tainan, in conjunction with Tainan 400. Since 1624, Tainan has been a city where diverse ethnicities have mingled and learned from each other. Their shared journey has shaped not only this historic capital, but also the very cultural identity of Taiwan, a legacy that is cherished today.

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