Celebrate Lunar New Year

San Diego Family’s art contributor, Alyssa Navapanich, created this project to celebrate the Year of the Dragon! Dragons are the only mythological creature in the Chinese Zodiac. They represent wisdom, good luck, health and strength.

It’s important (and fun) to learn about holidays around the world in addition to the customs and history behind them. Help promote diversity, inclusion and belonging by introducing children to Lunar New Year, which is celebrated by Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and many Asian diasporas here in the U.S. and throughout the world. This year, Lunar New Year starts on Feb. 10. While the Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate Lunar New Year over a three-day period, Chinese celebrate it for 15 days, ending with a Lantern Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24. Below are various traditions to commemorate the special celebration.

• Decorate with red—it wards off evil.

• Give good luck money in red envelopes to children.

• Decorate with bamboo and flowers to bring good luck, fruitfulness and fertility.

• Offer fruit to your ancestors in a family altar.

• Spend time with family and friends.

• Eat foods that bring luck and good fortune: dumplings, tangyuan, fish and spring rolls.

• Get a fresh haircut for good luck and fresh start.

• Wear something new to ring in the new year, best if it’s red!

• Attend a Lunar New Year parade and get ready for lion and dragon dancers!

• Create dragon crafts to scare off bad spirits.

Find instructions on how to make this craft at www.sandiegofamily.com/for-the-kids/crafts-for-kids

Facts about Lunar New Year

• The festival date changes every year.

• It is also called the Spring Festival, Seollal (Korean), and Tết (Vietnamese)

• 2024 is the Year of the Dragon.

• One sixth of the world’s people celebrate it.

Be sure to check our calendar for local events happening Feb. 17–24. v

Yobe Qiu is passionate about educating those around her about Asian culture. She has authored several children’s books, including “Our Lunar New Year,” “Asian Adventures A–Z” and “I Am an Amazing Asian Girl.”