A summary and key points can be found at the bottom of the text.

Come join us in a week full of festivities, celebrations and more as we fly into the year of the Dragon, it will be all about the Lunar New Year! This celebration is full of the colour red, Dragons, food, fashion and competitions. 

This year’s Lunar New Year will be celebrated on February 10th, in today’s news post we will provide general information about what Lunar New Year is and how it is celebrated.

History

Lunar New Year is a traditional holiday which is over 3,500 years old. The festival marks the beginning of spring.

It is said that the holiday began with a legend of a mythical beast called Nian, who terrorized villages at the beginning of each new year. Villagers then realized that Nian was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. That created the tradition of lighting firecrackers, hanging lanterns, and displaying red decorations to scare off the evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year.

Nowadays Lunar New Year involves family reunions, feasting, and honoring ancestors. It follows the lunar calendar and it falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Typically it’s celebrated between January 21st and February 20th. Each Lunar New Year is associated with one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac.

Traditions, celebrations and food
Traditions vary across different cultures, with many celebrations and festivities, the most common traditions you’ll often hear about include families and loved ones coming together as it is an important time, cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck, giving and receiving red envelopes, lighting firecrackers, bringing offerings to ancestors and lots of dragon dance performances.

Examples of a few traditions in some countries:

China
- Family reunions, families of several generations gather around round tables, enjoying the food, spending time together.
- Giving and receiving red envelopes (hongbao)
- Dragon and Lion dance performances are performed as a means to chase away evil spirits and welcome in prosperous times.
- Some dishes served during LNY are jaozi (dumplings) (jaozi), nian gao (sticky rice cake) and tangyuan (glutinous rice balls)

Japan
- Similar to the way China celebrates their LNY, Japanese people will go home to celebrate with their family and loved ones.
- Cleaning their homes beforehand to welcome the new year and good fortune.
- Some dishes served during LNY are spring rolls and dumplings (brings wealth), fish (said to bring prosperity) and osechi ryori (in where traditional new year’s dishes are packed in jūbako boxes)
*In 1872 Japan switched to using the Gregorian calendar, which means they officially celebrate new years' on the 1st of january. However, the lunar new year does not go unnoticed for some!

Indonesia
- In Indonesia the LNY is known as Imlek, traditions include prayers and offerings to their ancestors as well as coming together with families.
- On New Year's Day, the younger family members will visit their parents and elders to greet them. Here children usually receive a red envelope (angpao) with money which symbolizes blessings for the new year.
- Some dishes served during LNY are siu mie (rice noodles), tea leaf egg (hard boiled egg infused with black tea and spices) and red mangkok cake.

Korea
- In South Korea the LNY is known as Seollal, traditions include ancestral rituals called Charye, families will pay respects to their ancestors by offering food and bowing
- Sebae, a deep bow is performed by the younger generation to their elders as a sign of respect and will receive blessings in return. This is one of their most important traditions.
- Families come together, often playing games and wearing traditional clothing known as hanboks.
- Some dishes served during LNY are tteokguk (ricecake soup), galbijjim (braised beef) and sikhye (traditional korean rice drink)

Vietnam
- In Vietnam the LNY is known as Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet, with Tet being the most widely celebrated festival.
- Many people clean their homes and cook special holiday foods, houses are often decorated with yellow apricot blossoms (in central and southern Vietnam) and peach blossoms (in northern Vietnam)
- Some dishes served during LNY are banh chung (square sticky rice cake), ga luoc (boiled chicken) and gio lua (vietnamese sausage)


Fashion and traditional wear
Wearing traditional clothing is one of the many ways people celebrate, traditional clothing is often vibrant and colourful. This symbolizes good luck and fortune into the new year. While traditional clothing holds a significant meaning, many traditional clothing has been modernized throughout the years. For example women may wear a cheongsam (also known as qipao), while men might wear a tangzhuang (also known as tang suit). These clothing are normally made of silk and have intricate designs.

Colours
Red is known as the lucky colour, it represents strength and prosperity. It is also believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck for the upcoming year. In some countries white symbolizes purity and cleanliness. Traditionally black is absolutely a no go to wear on New Year’s day as it is a colour typically worn during funerals, therefore being associated with death and this is considered to be an unlucky colour.

Traditional wear
Traditional clothing vary across different cultures, we have listed some examples of a few traditional clothing in Asian culture here:

China: Hanfu is a traditional and historically significant clothing. It consists of multiple layers of clothing and accessories such as belts and hairpieces. Qipao is a more modern attire often worn during formal occasions. Tangzhuang, also known as Tang suit, is a formal clothing worn by men, but can also be worn by women. It is versatile in style.

Japan: Kimono is a T-shaped robe that can be wrapped around the body, with straight and long sleeves. It is worn by both men and women, and the design varies depending on age, status, and occasions. Hakama pants are wide-legged pants traditionally worn under a kimono. Yukata is a casual version of the kimono, typically worn during summer or at festivals. It is often more colorful and less formal than kimonos.

Korea: Hanbok consists of a jacket (jeogori), pants (baji) or skirt (chima), and a vest (jeonbok) along with various accessories. It is worn during traditional celebrations, ceremonies, and festivals.

Vietnam: Ao Dai is a long tunic worn over wide-legged pants, creating a flowing and elegant outfit. The tunic (Ao) is a form-fitting garment with a high collar and long sleeves, while the pants (Quan) are wide-legged pants worn underneath. It is known for its elegant style.

Malaysia: Baju Melayu is a traditional outfit for men, consisting of a loose-fitting shirt worn over trousers, paired with a sampan (traditional cloth worn around the waist) and a songkok (a traditional cap). Baju Kuring is a traditional outfit for women, consisting of a long flowing blouse paired with a long skirt. Both are worn during festive occasions. Malaysian Chinese people also wear Cheongsam (Qipao) during cultural events and celebrations.

Mongolia: Deel is a robe worn by both men and women. It is a long, loose-fitting garment with a high collar, wide sleeves, and a flared bottom. It provides protection against cold weather. Del is a traditional outer coat worn over the deel for additional warmth.

Indonesia: Batik is a traditional Indonesian fabric that is made using a technique called wax resist dyeing and features various patterns and designs representing different regions and cultures. Kebaya is a traditional blouse/dress combination worn by women.

Thailand: Chut Thai refers to general traditional wear. For women, it includes the sin, a wrap-around skirt styled with blouses or dresses. For men, it includes pha nung, a wrap-around from the waist to the thigh, styled with a shirt or jacket. Sabai is a traditional Thai garment worn over the shoulder.


Also! Keep an eye out for a new collection dropping later today, made by our amazing Junior Designers! This shop drop consists of modernized traditional clothing and we ask you to please wear them respectfully.

TLDR:
- Come join us in a week full of festivities as it will be all about the Lunar New Year
- Lunar New Year is a traditional holiday which is over 3,500 years old. The festival marks the beginning of spring.
- Each Lunar New Year is associated with one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, this year will be the year of the Dragon
- Traditions include families and loved ones coming together, cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck, giving and receiving red envelopes, lighting firecrackers, bringing offerings to ancestors and dragon dance performances.
- Each country has their special dishes being served during LNY.
- Red is known as the lucky colour.
- A few examples of traditional clothing in each country.

Happy Lunar New Year!
From the Inclusivity Group