YEAR TRADITIONS

practices celebrated during Lunar New Year

(年), a man-eating monster, who is said to fear loud sounds and the color red. During the new year, dragon dances parade the streets to bring the community good luck by warding off evil spirits. Families host large dinners consisting of dishes such as rice cakes, dumplings and fish on Lunar New Year’s Eve. Adults hand out red envelopes filled with money after the dinner, typically to children and the elderly.

Taiwanese households follow similar traditions where wearing red, celebrating with family and watching parades are common activities.

However, a few different traditions are followed. Many wait at various temples hoping to be first to honor the gods with incense and to pray for a successful year. Some honor their ancestors with various offerings to wish them a happy new year.

Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or Tết, customs also differ compared to those in East Asia. In 2023, the Year of the Cat was celebrated instead of the Year of the Rabbit. In 2021, Vietnamese households welcomed the Year of the Buffalo instead of the Year of the Ox. These changes were made due to the positive association buffalos have with luck and fortune and also the Vietnamese interpretation of the word cat. Vietnamese households hang red enve- lopes from peach trees with yellow blossoms and exchange blessings for a good new year. Typically, families gather for a large celebration and everyone contributes to the dinner by bringing a Vietnamese dish. On the first day of Lunar New Year, many visit various neighbors, friends and family to celebrate and wish them a happy new year.

In Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, the holiday is celebrated mostly by Chinese immigrants residing in these countries. This celebration is similar to those in various East Asian communities.

For centuries, Lunar New Year has been celebrated by cultures all throughout Asia. It is considered one of the most important holidays in several countries. Millions of people gather with families to properly celebrate. And finally, Lunar New Year traditions will now be honored in California as well.

Immigrants across the state can properly celebrate traditions passed down from generation to generation