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Korea
Lunar New Year, also known as Seollal, is one of the most important holidays of the year for Koreans. It's a time to ward off evil spirits, bid farewell to the misfortunes of the old year, and welcome good fortune in the new year. As the clock strikes midnight, family members immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and perform traditional rituals.
Offering tray for the Korean New Year (Seollal).
The first ritual of the Lunar New Year is called Charye, which takes place at the family's ancestral shrine. Family members gather around the altar, expressing their respect and reverence for their ancestors.
Next comes the Sebae ceremony. The younger members of the family bow, offer birthday wishes, and receive money from their parents and grandparents, expressing gratitude and respect for the older members of the family.
This is also an opportunity for children and grandchildren to show respect and gratitude to their grandparents and parents.
It's impossible not to mention the rich culinary culture of the Korean New Year. The offerings are meticulously prepared before the New Year and completed on New Year's Eve. The offering table can include more than 20 dishes, among which ttok-kuk – a type of noodle soup made with beef or chicken – is indispensable, along with the traditional rice cake soup.
Tteok kuk - an indispensable dish during the Korean New Year.
Mongolia
Mongolians always maintain a cheerful and optimistic mood and avoid doing bad things during the Tsagaan Sar New Year. They believe this will bring good luck for the whole year. Debts are also settled and any conflicts are resolved before the New Year to avoid misfortune in the new year.
Indispensable dishes during the Mongolian New Year are ul boov (cake tower) and uut (boiled lamb loin).
To prepare for the most important New Year's Day of the year, Mongolians clean their houses and barns, bathe, and wear new clothes. Traditional dishes are prepared using milk, bread, lamb, beef, horse meat, etc., along with rice and raisins. Before New Year's Eve, Mongolian men will go to the mountains to pray and choose a direction according to their horoscope for their first journey of the year. This is believed to bring good luck for the entire year.
During the three days of the New Year, Mongolians will only wear traditional clothing.
During the three days of the New Year, Mongolians wear only traditional clothing and gather at the home of the oldest person in the area. They chat, play games, exchange ideas, and enjoy traditional dishes together.
China
The Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on the lunar cycle, which creates a difference in the dates of the Lunar New Year holiday compared to the Gregorian calendar. Typically, the holiday runs from January 12th to February 20th, bringing a vibrant spring atmosphere even in the winter. The auspicious color red permeates everything, from lanterns and couplets to clothing and red envelopes, expressing wishes for a prosperous and peaceful new year.
The color red dominates the Chinese New Year celebration.
Besides traditional activities, the Chinese also have the custom of pasting or hanging the character "Fu" (福) upside down to pray for good fortune. According to ancient beliefs, "Fu Dao" (規倒) is a homophone of "Fu Dao" (福到), meaning blessings will come to every household in the new year.
Each year in the Chinese calendar corresponds to an animal, so people usually avoid eating the meat of the animal associated with that year at the beginning of the year. Instead, various cakes, especially Nian Gao (rice cake) made from glutinous rice, sugar, and fresh ginger, contribute to the distinctive flavor of the New Year's feast.
Nian Gao, a rice cake made from glutinous rice, sugar, and fresh ginger, is an indispensable dish during this occasion.
Singapore
Singapore celebrates the Lunar New Year according to Chinese customs, perhaps because a portion of the island nation's population is of Chinese descent. Before the New Year, Singaporeans also clean their houses, decorate the streets, and prepare traditional dishes. However, instead of the five-fruit platter as in Vietnam, Singaporeans prefer tangerines and pineapples.
Singaporeans often give each other tangerines as a gift, hoping to bring good fortune and prosperity in the new year.
Tangerines symbolize abundance and good fortune with their vibrant yellow color. Singaporeans often give tangerines as gifts, wishing for wealth and prosperity in the new year. Pineapple, in Hokkien, means "prosperity," signifying wealth and good fortune. Therefore, people here often use pineapple as a filling for pastries served to guests during the Lunar New Year.
Singaporeans have a custom of giving gifts in pairs or even numbers, avoiding the number 4 as it is considered unlucky. Gifts are also given in pairs in red envelopes along with chocolate.
Visiting Singapore during this time, tourists will have the opportunity to participate in many unique and fascinating festivals.
In addition to traditional customs, Singapore also hosts many unique festivals throughout the Lunar New Year, attracting tourists from all over the world. The Chingay Festival is one of the most prominent events, featuring a vibrant and lively parade.
