Lunar New Year 2017: A Vibrant Celebration of Culture and Tradition
What is Lunar New Year 2017? It's a celebration known by many names - Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, Tet, and more. But no matter what you call it, this holiday holds deep cultural significance for millions of people around the world.
For starters, did you know that Lunar New Year is celebrated not just in China, but in countries like Vietnam, Korea, and Singapore as well? That's right - it's a truly international holiday. In fact, it's the largest annual human migration, with hundreds of millions of people traveling to be with their families during the festivities.
But what exactly happens during Lunar New Year? Well, there are lots of traditions and customs associated with the holiday. For example, red is considered a lucky color and is seen everywhere - on clothing, decorations, and even envelopes filled with money that are given as gifts.
Another important tradition is the reunion dinner, where families gather together to eat a big feast and celebrate the New Year together. And of course, there are lots of fireworks - something that's sure to catch anyone's attention!
But Lunar New Year isn't just about fun and games. It's also a time to honor one's ancestors and seek out good fortune for the coming year. This can involve everything from paying respects at a family shrine to strategically placing decorations around the home to bring in luck and prosperity.
So why should you care about Lunar New Year? Well, for one thing, it's a chance to learn about and appreciate a different culture. Plus, who doesn't love an excuse to party and eat delicious food?
But perhaps the most compelling reason to celebrate Lunar New Year is the sense of community and connection it brings. No matter where you are or how you're celebrating, you're part of a global community of people who are all marking the same occasion in their own unique way.
In short, Lunar New Year is a time to come together and celebrate the start of a new year - and all the hope and possibility that comes with it. So why not join in the festivities and see what the holiday has to offer?
After all, as the old saying goes: Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Lunar New Year is the perfect time to do just that.
"What Is Lunar New Year 2017" ~ bbaz
The Significance and Origin of Lunar New Year 2017
Every year, the traditional Chinese calendar marks the Lunar New Year. This global celebration, also known as Spring Festival, is a time of reunion, thanksgiving, and anticipation. The Lunar New Year 2017 falls on January 28th, 2017, which is the Year of the Rooster in the Chinese zodiac.
History of the Lunar New Year
The history of Lunar New Year dates back to over 3,500 years ago in China when people started using lunar calendars. Back then, the festival was used to celebrate the end of winter and the arrival of spring – a time that symbolized new life, new growth and new beginnings.
The Lunar New Year always falls on a different date from the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used in the west. It follows the lunar moon cycle, which counts 29.5 days - thus making the Lunar New Year sometimes fall on a date between late January and mid-February. Over time, the Lunar New Year celebration has expanded beyond China, marking the most celebrated event among various Asian cultures such as Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore.
Traditions and Symbols
The Lunar New Year is steeped in traditions and symbols that represent good fortune, prosperity, health and happiness. One of the most important customs is the family reunion dinner that takes place on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Family members gather to enjoy the food and drinks, and exchange greetings and wishes for the upcoming year. The feast is also considered by many as an opportunity to honor their ancestors and departed loved ones.
Another essential tradition is cleaning your house before the Lunar New Year. These include getting rid of old, unused items and sweeping the floors to signify sweeping away bad luck. Firecrackers are also common during the festival, as they are believed to scare off any evil spirits and signify new beginnings.
Year of the Rooster
Every year in the Chinese zodiac is symbolized by an animal. 2017 is known as the Year of the Rooster, represented as a confident and ambitious animal. People born under this sign are associated with traits linked to that of a rooster; hardworking, punctual, honest, and observant.
It’s thought that people born under the year of the Rooster may have some tough times this year as Roosters can sometimes be too outspoken in dealing with problems, but will be successful as long as they keep focused through their goals ahead with faith and hard work. Although some people do not follow or believe in astrology, it is still interesting to learn certain aspects about the year that is being celebrated.
Celebrations around the world
The Lunar New Year is one of the most significant events throughout the year celebrated across Asia and various countries around the world. In China the main celebrations last for around fifteen days culminating in a lantern festival. Throughout this period, it is common for people to eat traditional dishes such as dumplings and fish, and exchange red envelopes filled with money as a symbol of good luck, health, and prosperity.
In Singapore and Malaysia, the week-long celebration is marked by the Chingay Parade, dragon dance performances, fireworks, and street markets. Vietnam welcomes the Lunar New Year with festivals featuring buffalo fighting and the singing of folk songs. The occasion is also celebrated in major cities such as New York, Sydney, and London, where large parades and traditional dragon dances take place.
Conclusion
The Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is considered to be one of the largest and most anticipated celebrations for millions worldwide. It’s a time of reunion, honor, reflection and appreciation for both Asian immigrants and their children around the world. As we welcome the Year of the Rooster this year, it’s essential for us to remember the significance of this celebration and learn something about Chinese culture and customs. Happy Lunar New Year!
What Is Lunar New Year 2017: A Comparison of Celebrations Across Asia
The Lunar New Year Tradition
The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most celebrated events in Asia. The celebration usually takes place between late January and mid-February, depending on the lunar calendar. It’s a time for families, friends, and community members to come together and honor their ancestors, offer prayers for good fortune, and partake in festive rituals and activities. Although the Lunar New Year is primarily associated with China, it’s also celebrated in several other Asian countries, including Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. While there are similarities in the way these countries celebrate the event, each culture has its own unique traditions and customs.The Dates of the Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year typically lasts for 15 days, with each day representing a different symbol or belief. The first day of the new year is usually celebrated by cleaning the house and preparing offerings for the family’s ancestors. In China, the festivities end with the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the lunar month.The exact date of the Lunar New Year varies from year to year. In 2017, the Lunar New Year began on January 28th and ended on February 11th. This year is the year of the Rooster, which according to Chinese astrology, signifies wealth, prosperity, and success.Preparations for the Lunar New Year
One of the biggest parts of the Lunar New Year is the preparation leading up to the event. In China, weeks before the holiday, people start decorating their homes with red lanterns, banners, and paper-cut Chinese characters that symbolize good luck. They also shop for traditional foods such as rice cakes, dumplings, and fish.Similarly, other Asian countries also prepare for Lunar New Year festivities in their own unique way. For example, in Vietnam, people usually clean their homes and decorate them with peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and kumquat trees. In Korea, people celebrate Seollal, which is a three-day event usually spent with the family. One of the significant parts of the celebration is the ancestral memorial rites, called charye.Traditional Foods in the Lunar New Year
Food plays an essential role in Lunar New Year celebrations. The type of food eaten varies from country to country, but certain dishes are considered to be staples at Lunar New Year festivities.In China, dumplings and rice cakes are a must-have. Dumplings are believed to bring prosperity, while rice cakes symbolize a higher social status. In Vietnam, Bánh Tết, a sticky rice cake filled with pork and mung beans, is the most popular dish. Korea’s traditional dish, tteokguk, is a soup made from long rice cakes and beef broth served with various vegetables.Red Envelopes & the Lion Dance
Two of the most well-known Lunar New Year customs are the giving of red envelopes and the lion dance. In China, red envelopes filled with money are given to children in the family as a symbol of blessings and good luck. The tradition is also common in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam.The lion dance is a festive performance usually seen during Lunar New Year parades. The lion is a symbol of power, wisdom, and good fortune, and dancers mimic the lion's movements to scare away bad spirits.Comparison Table: 2017 Lunar New Year Festivities by Country
| Country | Food | Decorations | Customs ||--------|-------|-----------|--------|| China | Dumplings, rice cakes, fish, and oranges | Red lanterns, banners, and Chinese characters | Red envelopes, lion dance, fireworks || Vietnam | Bánh Tết (sticky rice cake), pickled vegetables, roast pork| Peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, kumquat trees, red banners | Dragon and lion dances, ancestor worship || Korea | Tteokguk (rice cake soup), mandu (dumplings) | Traditional Korean dress called hanbok | Ancestral rites, playing of traditional games || Malaysia & Singapore | Nian gao (rice cake), yu sheng (raw fish salad) | Red lanterns, banners, and Chinese characters | Giving of red envelopes, dragon and lion dance|Conclusion
The Lunar New Year is a joyous occasion that is celebrated widely across Asia. Although each country has its unique way of celebrating, the underlying message and traditions are the same – to honor heritage, wish for good fortune and share love and respect with family and friends. Lunar New Year 2017 has shown us the importance of continuing traditions to preserve and showcase the richness of our cultures.What is Lunar New Year 2017?
Introduction
The Lunar New Year is the biggest and most important festival celebrated in many Asian countries, including China, Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore. The holiday, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, falls on a different date each year because it is based on the lunar calendar. In 2017, the Lunar New Year will be celebrated on January 28th.The Story of the Lunar New Year
According to legend, the Lunar New Year began with an angry monster named Nian who would come down from the mountains to attack villages and eat people. One day, an old man discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises and the color red. So, people started setting off firecrackers and hanging red decorations to scare the monster away. This tradition continues today as a way to ward off evil spirits and ensure good luck for the new year.Preparations for the Lunar New Year
Leading up to Lunar New Year, families clean their houses from top to bottom to sweep out any bad luck from the previous year. They also decorate their homes with red lanterns, banners, and posters with auspicious phrases. Shopping for new clothes, gifts, and food is another important part of the preparation process. Popular foods eaten during Lunar New Year include dumplings, fish, and rice cake.The Lunar New Year’s Eve Dinner
The Lunar New Year’s Eve dinner is an important family gathering that brings together relatives from near and far. The meal typically includes a variety of dishes, with each family member having a particular favorite. Some popular Lunar New Year dishes include hot pot, noodles, and spring rolls. In addition to food, families may also participate in traditional activities, like playing card games and watching the CCTV New Year's Gala.The Lunar New Year’s Day
On Lunar New Year’s Day, people wake up early and put on their new clothes. They then offer prayers to their ancestors and receive red envelopes filled with money from elders as a symbol of good fortune. Throughout the day, families visit friends and relatives, passing out sweets and exchanging holiday greetings. In some countries, there are parades with lion dancers and dragon dancers, with all kinds of fireworks and commotion.The Lantern Festival
The Lunar New Year festivities come to a close on the 15th day of the first lunar month with the Lantern Festival. People light and release lanterns into the sky, usually containing riddles or personal messages. The festival also includes lion and dragon performances, acrobatics, and other cultural activities.Conclusion
The Lunar New Year is a unique and vibrant festival that celebrates new beginnings and family ties. It is a time for honoring traditions while looking forward to new opportunities. Whether you are celebrating the holiday in Asia or in another part of the world, the Lunar New Year has something to offer everyone. So fire up some crackers, wear something red, and gather with your loved ones to usher in the Year of the Rooster!What Is Lunar New Year 2017?
As we welcome the beginning of the year 2017, it is also time to celebrate one of the most significant and colorful festivals in the world – Lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated by over 1.5 billion people worldwide. It is a time of renewal, optimism, and rejoicing that signifies the start of the Lunar calendar based on the cycles of the moon.
The Lunar New Year is celebrated annually in various Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. These countries have their unique traditions and customs to mark the occasion. However, they all share common themes such as family reunions, feasting, gift-giving, and cultural performances.
Preparation for Lunar New Year often starts weeks before the actual day. People clean their homes thoroughly to get rid of any negative energy accumulated during the previous year. Red decorations are hung up to bring good luck, and firecrackers are set off to scare away any evil spirits in the environment. Family members also buy new clothes, especially in red, which symbolizes good fortune and happiness.
On Lunar New Year's Eve, families gather for a festive meal usually featuring foods with symbolic meaning. In Chinese culture, dumplings are a common dish that represents wealth and prosperity. Fish is served whole to signify an abundance of blessings, while noodles represent longevity. The reunion dinner is an essential part of the celebration because it is the time for family members to catch up and renew relationships.
Another popular tradition during Lunar New Year is the red envelope or li-see in Cantonese. These envelopes are stuffed with money and given to children as a present. It is a way of passing on good wishes and blessings to the next generation. Families also visit relatives and friends to exchange greetings and gifts during the holiday season.
Every Lunar New Year is associated with an animal from the Chinese zodiac. 2017 is the year of the Rooster, which symbolizes punctuality, fidelity, and honesty. Those born in the year of the Rooster are believed to be confident, hardworking, and have excellent organizational skills. They are also expected to face challenges head-on and remain resilient even in adversity.
Throughout Lunar New Year celebrations, you will see dragon dances, lion dances, and other cultural performances in many cities worldwide. These dances represent the mythical creatures which scare away bad luck and bring good luck and prosperity. The festivities often culminate in a grand display of fireworks as an expression of joy and gratitude for the start of a new year.
With the impact of COVID-19 still present globally, families and communities around the world are finding new ways to celebrate, together and apart, and to honor this cherished tradition. While some public events may be postponed or cancelled to help reduce transmission risks, there are other virtual and socially distant activities ongoing to keep everyone safe, happy, and healthy.
The Lunar New Year is an opportunity to reflect on the past and visualize the future. It is a time to come together with loved ones, express gratitude, and set intentions for the year ahead. As we close out this article, we wish you a Happy Lunar New Year and hope that you will find joy, peace, and success in all your endeavors!
What Is Lunar New Year 2017?
Why Is Lunar New Year Celebrated?
Lunar New Year is celebrated as the beginning of the new year in several Asian countries. The celebration usually marks the end of a long winter and welcomes spring. It is also the time to offer prayers to ancestors and gather with family and friends.
When Is Lunar New Year 2017?
Lunar New Year falls on January 28th, 2017. The date changes every year according to the lunar calendar.
How Is Lunar New Year Celebrated?
The Lunar New Year celebrations usually span from three to fifteen days. The celebrations are marked by various traditions such as dragon and lion dances, fireworks, exchanging red envelopes containing money and eating traditional food such as dumplings, rice cakes, and fish.
What Animal Represents Lunar New Year 2017?
The animal that represents the Lunar New Year 2017 is the rooster. Every year represents one of the twelve Zodiac animals in the lunar calendar.
What Can I Do To Celebrate Lunar New Year 2017?
To celebrate Lunar New Year 2017, you can participate in local festivals, try traditional foods, make crafts or decorations, light firecrackers (where permitted), wear red clothing or traditional dress, and extend greetings of good fortune to others.
Is Lunar New Year A Public Holiday?
In several Asian countries, including China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia, Lunar New Year is considered a public holiday. However, it is not considered a public holiday in most western countries.
What Comes After Lunar New Year?
During the Lunar New Year celebrations, a Lantern Festival usually marks the end of the festivities. The festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month and features glowing lanterns, parades, and traditional foods.
How Long Has Lunar New Year Been Celebrated?
The Lunar New Year has been celebrated for over 4,000 years. The first Chinese emperor credited with starting the tradition was Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor.
What Are Some Traditions That Span Across Different Countries?
Some traditions that have become synonymous with Lunar New Year include wearing red clothing or traditional dress, exchanging red envelopes containing money, lighting firecrackers, eating dumplings, and having a reunion dinner with family.
Why Do People Consider Lunar New Year Important?
Lunar New Year is considered important because it gives people a chance to connect with family, friends, and connect with their culture. It's also believed that how you spend the Lunar New Year affects one's fortune for the rest of the year.