Lunar New Year
Happy New Years Eve! The Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, starting the year of the Tiger. Also known as the Chinese New Year, this holiday is celebrated by nearly 2 billion people worldwide.
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2022 is the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger indicates a prosperous year bringing healing and joy. The Tiger is commonly associated with bravery, courage, and strength. It can be viewed as an uplifting animal, giving people hope especially with the pandemic. As quoted on USA Today, “This nicely coincided with hopeful recovery from the pandemic crisis. It’s actually quite a significant year in terms of the symbol.”
Lunar New Year can often last for weeks, with different activities and celebrations taking place over that period. Here are some Lunar New Year traditions:
- Wear red and gold for good fortune
- Honour ancestors with family reunions
- Large public celebrations
- Dragon parades
- Boat races
- Paper lanterns
- Fireworks and firecrackers to drive off evil spirits
- Nighttime parades with floats, dragons, dancers, and musicians
- Prepare candy boxes and snacks for guests
- Hand out red packets filled with money
- Festive cakes and puddings
- Clean the home to rid bad luck
- Family dinner with dishes such as fish, puddings, and rice ball dumplings
- The Spring Lantern Festival
- Focus on the positives
- Only use auspicious language