VI
EN
Lunar New Year is not only the most important holiday of the year for Vietnamese people, but also a cultural thread connecting many countries in Asia. Although they share the same time of transition to the new year according to the lunar calendar, each nation has its own unique customs, creating a vibrant tapestry of festivities.
China: The majestic spirit of the dragon and the concept of lucky numbers.
In neighboring China, the Lunar New Year (or Spring Festival) is considered the beginning of a new cycle of life. One of the mandatory rituals before the new year is a thorough cleaning of the house. People believe that cleaning every nook and cranny is not simply a matter of hygiene but also has symbolic meaning: sweeping away the bad luck and misfortunes of the old year to make way for good fortune.
The New Year's cuisine here is a subtly symbolic arrangement in terms of language. The New Year's Eve feast cannot be without fish (ngư) - a homophone for "abundance," longevity noodles symbolizing health, and steamed buns and spring rolls shaped like ancient silver ingots.
Chinese New Year cuisine also embodies many meaningful beliefs.
In particular, the custom of giving red envelopes (hongbao) in China has quite strict rules. The amount of money inside is usually chosen to end with the number 8 (meaning prosperity) or 6 (meaning sharing), conveying wishes for wealth and good fortune. Throughout the streets, the festive atmosphere is further enlivened by lion and dragon dances, a ritual believed to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity to the community.
The red envelopes (hongbao) are carefully prepared, with the amount of money ending in lucky numbers.
Korea and Japan: Ancestor veneration and wishes for longevity.
Koreans call Lunar New Year Seollal, a three-day holiday focused on filial piety and family reunions. The image of people wearing traditional Hanbok clothing, performing the ritual of bowing to their ancestors (Charye), and offering elaborately prepared food to the ancestral altar has become a cultural symbol of Seollal. An interesting difference is that Koreans often put their New Year's money in intricately embroidered silk pouches instead of paper envelopes.
The ritual of setting up an ancestral altar (Charye) in a Korean family on Seollal (Korean New Year) demonstrates the reverence and gratitude of the people of Korea.
Common folk games of the Korean people
In particular, rice cake soup (Tteokguk) is an indispensable dish; Koreans believe that only after finishing a bowl of this soup can they truly grow one year older. In some regions, the custom of burning "moon houses" with dry wood on the night of the full moon in January is still maintained as a way to send wishes to the gods.
Although Japan now celebrates the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar, the spiritual values of the traditional New Year remain intact within families. The Japanese have a unique custom of opening all windows on New Year's Eve to invite the god of good fortune, Toshigami-sama, into their homes. Their New Year's Eve dinner is an art form featuring sushi, mochi, and dishes made with lotus root or shrimp – foods symbolizing foresight and longevity. Another cherished cultural tradition is the custom of staying up late on New Year's Eve; the Japanese believe that the longer children stay awake, the more blessings and longevity their parents will receive.
Although they no longer celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Japanese still maintain many traditional cultural aspects.
Singapore and Malaysia: The auspicious golden hues and the spirit of sharing.
In Singapore, the "Lion City," vibrant red blankets the streets, but the golden hue of the kumquat is the true symbol of wealth. Almost every family and business displays a kumquat tree in front of their door because the round, bright orange fruit resembles gold bars hanging from the branches. A very distinctive Singaporean custom is giving each other pairs of Mandarin oranges in cardboard boxes during Tet (Lunar New Year), symbolizing the bestowal of prosperity. After the family reunion meal, visiting temples to offer incense and pray has become an indispensable part of the daily life of the residents here.
In Singapore, giving oranges as a gift is a way of wishing a prosperous and healthy New Year.
Similar to Singapore, the Chinese community in Malaysia also celebrates Lunar New Year with lively fireworks and bustling outdoor parties. However, Malaysians also emphasize settling all debts before the new year to ensure financial stability. Furthermore, the spirit of compassion is highlighted through giving lucky money to charities, turning the Lunar New Year into an opportunity to share good fortune with those less fortunate.
Mongolia: Mountain rituals and astrological journeys.
Tsagaan Sar (White Month), the Mongolian festival, is a celebration of spring on the vast steppes. Before the festival, people clean not only their homes but also their livestock sheds, bathe thoroughly, and wear their newest Deel (traditional clothing). Mongolian cuisine during the festival reflects the nomadic lifestyle, featuring dairy products, lamb, horse meat, and raisin rice.
Mongolians celebrate the New Year with unique customs of the steppe region.
The most unique aspect lies in the rituals performed by the men of the family before New Year's Eve. They will climb a nearby hill or mountain to pray, then perform a ritual of departure according to their astrological sign. This is a sacred moment for Mongolians to connect with nature and the heavens, praying for a new year of favorable weather, abundant livestock, and a harmonious family life.
These unique Lunar New Year customs are an invaluable cultural treasure, shaping the distinct identities of Asian countries on the world map.
