Asian Countries’ Unique Twists in Celebrating Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year is a vibrant and joyous celebration observed by many cultures across East and Southeast Asia. While its roots lie in the Chinese lunar calendar, the holiday has been embraced and adapted by numerous countries, each having their own unique traditions and customs.

As CAN’s ongoing mission is to connect and educate communities with each other, this list will let us embark on a cultural journey as we learn some fascinating Lunar New Year traditions from different countries. Hopefully, giving you a glimpse into the diverse ways this special time of year is celebrated.

China: Upside-Down Blessings 

In China, the color red is everywhere during Lunar New Year, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. But one unique tradition foreigners might spot is the character "Fu" (福), meaning good fortune or blessing, hung upside down. This isn't a mistake! The word for "upside down" (倒, dào) sounds like the word for "arrival" (到, dào), so hanging "Fu" upside down symbolizes that good fortune has "arrived" at your doorstep.

Vietnam: Welcoming the First Foot 

In Vietnam, Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) is a time for family reunions and welcoming good fortune. A unique tradition is "xông đất" (first footing), where the first person to enter a house after midnight on New Year's Day is believed to influence the household's luck for the entire year. Families often carefully select someone they consider lucky to perform this important role. 

South Korea: Bowing to Elders and Playing "Yut Nori"

Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) is a time for showing respect to elders and enjoying traditional games. A key custom is "sebae" (New Year's Bow), where children perform a deep traditional bow to their elders, wishing them a happy new year. In return, the elders give them "sebaetdon" (New Year's money) in beautifully decorated silk bags. For some fun family time, you might find yourself playing "Yut Nori," a popular board game played with four wooden sticks. Throwing the sticks determines how many spaces you can move your pieces on the board, making for a fun and competitive way to celebrate.

‍Mongolia: Dairy Delights and Sacred Stone Heaps

Tsagaan Sar (White Moon) in Mongolia emphasizes dairy products, symbolizing purity and abundance. You'll see lots of dairy-based dishes and drinks enjoyed during this time. During these times, people also visit "ovoo" (sacred stone heaps). These piles of stones or rocks are considered sacred, and people circle them three times clockwise, offering milk, food, or other items as a way to honor nature and ask for blessings in the new year.

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See the full article in our Lunar New Year Edition of our first ever The Editor's Cut - A FREE PDF GUIDE containing the full list of LNY Events happening around Chicago, traditions, gifting ideas and recommendations, and of course what's a Lunar New Year celebration without knowing one's fortune! Receive The Editor's Cut on January 26!

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