Celebrating the Lunar New Year is more than just having a family dinner and receiving red pockets, it is about preparing your home for a year of good fortune.
Preparations for the celebration begin as early as the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, Jan. 14 this year, when families begin to clean their homes.
People call this “sweeping away the dust” and represent a wish to put away old things and say farewell to the old year while welcoming the new year. This includes cleaning your house, throwing away garbage and cutting your hair, but make sure to do all these things before Lunar New Year’s Day or you’ll be throwing away your luck and wealth for 2023.
Families begin shopping for New Year’s food and snacks, decorations, clothes and anything they need a week before the Lunar New Year day. This is usually done at “flower markets” or street markets where everything is available in one place.
Lunar New Year’s Eve (Jan. 21, 2023)
On the day before Lunar New Year, families gather to put up decorations such as red lanterns, red spring couplets, paper cuttings and New Year’s paintings. All these items are associated with wishing the family good fortune and wealth in the coming year.
Many often show respect to their ancestors by placing meat, wine and lit incense sticks in front of the shrine or grave. This is done before a reunion dinner in hopes ancestral spirits protect their descendants and help them become prosperous.
A must-do tradition is a Lunar New Year’s Eve reunion dinner with all family members coming together and enjoying dishes including fish, dumplings, sticky rice cake, and “longevity” noodles.
Elders often hand out lucky red envelopes to kids or those younger than them as the family stays up late for the countdown.
Lunar New Year (Jan. 22, 2023)
Fireworks and lion dances are a tradition to welcome the new year. It is believed the louder the firecrackers, the better and luckier it will be for businesses.
Many people wear new clothes and visit their elders wishes them good health and happiness. Traditionally, married daughters visit their parents’ homes on the second day of the New Year while bringing gifts.
Lantern Festival (Feb. 5, 2023)
The lantern festival marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. Traditionally people light floating lanterns into the sky, while others release floating lanterns onto the sea, rivers or lakes.
Sweet dumplings are also eaten after dinner on this day to represent togetherness.
