CELEBRATING
Lunar New Year
Lana Lê
Lunar New Year is observed in many Asian countries including (clockwise from top left) Laos, Singapore, Viet Nam, South Korea, and China.
The holiday marks the start of the lunar calendar, based on the cycles of the Moon’s phases, and is celebrated for over two weeks.
15 days to Hang verses of hope for the future or DOOR GOD soldier posters (to protect homes against bad spirits) .
celebrate Light firecrackers to scare away ghosts and monsters. Worship at a temple.
Watch a LION DANCER battle with a lion.
Give children lucky money in RED ENVELOPES.
Wear new clothes on New Year’s day for a fresh start.
On the 15th day of the New Year, light a lantern for the LANTERN FESTIVAL .
WH
OLE FISH
EAT LUCKY FOODS In Mandarin, the word for fish,“yu,” sounds like the word for abundance: “you.” Having the head and tail intact ensures prosperity from year to year.
CAUTION Don’t sweep away any good luck. Take care not to snip good luck away. Careful not to wash luck down the drain.
O R
LL
S
EG
LONGEVITY NOO ES DL
Uncut noodles mean happiness and long life.
G
No quarrelling on New Year’s Day.
Golden spring rolls evoke gold which equals wealth. Round rice balls represent family togetherness.
TANGY UAN
12 annual Every New Year is named after one of twelve animal signs, with traits corresponding to your birth year.
RAT
charming and cunning, but watch out for a quick temper 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 2020
OX
quiet, hard-working, and independent; sometimes anti-social 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009 2021
TIGER
brave, charismatic; may be rebellious or a risk-taker 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010 2022
animals RABBIT
gentle, shy, intuitive; possibly indecisive, and dislikes change 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 2023
DRAGON
determined, vivacious, lucky; though lacks patience and can be disagreeable 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012 2024
SNAKE
intelligent, highly moral; might be wicked or jealous 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013 2025
HORSE
elegant, kind, and loyal; though lacks judgement and may not heed advice 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014 2026
GOAT
artistic, relaxed, and caring; fears taking chances and avoids conflict 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015 2027
MONKEY
lively, humorous, imaginative; sometimes dishonest 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016 2028
ROOSTER
honest, thoughtful, confident; with a tendency towards vanity 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017 2029
DOG
loyal, hard-working, and level-headed; can be stubborn or anxious 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018 2030
PIG
honest, scrupulous; prone to laziness or naivety 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019 2031
Sources: A World of Festivals: Chinese New Year by Catherine Chambers; We Love: Chinese New Year by Saviour Pirotta; Ming Shu: The Art and Practice of Chinese Astrology by Derek Walters; various online sources
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