Millions of people across East and Southeast Asia are starting celebrations for Lunar New Year.
Millions of people across East and Southeast Asia are kicking off their celebrations for Lunar New Year, one of the most important holidays in the region. The festive season lasts for 15 days, starting on the first day of the lunar calendar, and is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and praying for prosperity, health, and happiness in the coming year.
The holiday, which dates back over 4,000 years, is steeped in rich history, with vibrant street parades, temple visits, and traditional foods, all carrying deep cultural significance.
In China, Lunar New Year, known as the Spring Festival, is the country’s most significant holiday, officially recognized as a public holiday. With over 1.4 billion people observing the festival, it is the largest and most widely celebrated Lunar New Year in the world.
The festival’s origins can be traced back to ancient times when it marked the end of the winter season and the beginning of spring, symbolizing renewal and rebirth. Lighting fireworks and setting off firecrackers are traditional ways to ward off evil spirits, a custom rooted in the belief that loud noises scare away the mythical monster Nian, which was said to terrorize villages.
Red decorations and lanterns are also essential, representing good fortune and the drive to repel misfortune. Families gather for the reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, which is often the most important meal of the year, and many visit temples to pray for health and prosperity.
In Taiwan, Lunar New Year is also an official holiday, and like in China, it is deeply rooted in both ancient and modern traditions. The Taiwanese have their own distinct practices, with families adorning their homes with flowers and fruits—particularly oranges and tangerines, which are symbolic of good fortune and wealth.
The tradition of giving red envelopes filled with money, known as "hongbao," is widely practiced, symbolizing a wish for prosperity. A special tradition in Taiwan involves throwing coins into wells or ponds, a custom believed to invite good fortune for the upcoming year. Taiwan’s Lunar New Year also has strong ties to the agricultural calendar, where the beginning of the new year aligns with the start of spring, symbolizing fresh beginnings and growth.
Shifting to Thailand, in Bangkok, the capital, the Lunar New Year is celebrated by the large Thai-Chinese community, especially in the vibrant district of Chinatown. Although not an official holiday, the celebration is marked by family gatherings, lion dances, and the exchange of red envelopes containing money, a symbol of good luck.
Unlike in China and Taiwan, Thailand’s celebration blends traditional Chinese customs with local influences, such as unique foods that represent good fortune. The Thai version of Lunar New Year reflects the fusion of cultures, with the Thai-Chinese community celebrating the holiday alongside the broader Thai population.
The tradition of decorating homes and streets with red banners, lanterns, and other symbols of prosperity is a shared trait with other countries, emphasizing the universal desire for wealth and good health in the coming year.
Finally, in Indonesia, the Lunar New Year is widely celebrated by the Chinese-Indonesian community, despite it not being an official holiday. The Indonesian celebration is rich in both Chinese and local traditions. Red decorations and offerings of incense are common, and families gather to share meals and give thanks to their ancestors.
While many of the customs are similar to those found in China and Taiwan, the Indonesian celebration adds its own unique elements, such as local delicacies and a mix of cultural influences from the archipelago’s diverse population. Lion dances and traditional music performances are also a hallmark of the festivities in cities with large Chinese-Indonesian populations.
As the celebrations continue across these regions, the enduring significance of Lunar New Year remains a time of renewal, reflection, and joy. The rich history and cultural practices that span generations are shared by millions of people, all coming together in the hope of a bright and prosperous year ahead.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, but Teh...
Australia put on a defensive masterclass as they beat Türkiye 2-0 in Vancouver in the final opening Group D match....
Romania's centrist President Nicușor Dan on Sunday designated Adrian Veștea, a member of the liberal party, as prime minister, after independent can...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Georgia to implement reforms to tackle youth unemployment. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15-24 ar...
North Korea said on Sunday, 14 June, that denuclearisation is a matter that is irreversibly terminated, in a condemnation of recent nuclear deterren...
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 13 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Every June, roughly 13 million young people in China sit down at the same time to take the same test. They have been preparing for it, in many cases, since primary school. Their families have rearranged their lives around it.
China has expressed strong dissatisfaction over a United States decision to place several major Chinese companies on a Pentagon list of firms alleged to support the country’s military.
Authorities in Hong Kong have seized suspected counterfeit World Cup merchandise worth an estimated HK$156 million (US$19.91 million), including jerseys and footballs, in one of the city's largest recent crackdowns on fake sports goods.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
SpaceX made a historic entrance into the Nasdaq on Friday, surging over 20% in its first day of trading and lifting its valuation to more than $2 trillion. Investors flocked to the world’s largest IPO, betting on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning rockets, AI and beyond.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
British artist David Hockney, one of the most influential figures in contemporary art, has died at age 88, his publicist said on Friday (12 June). He died peacefully at his home in London one month before his 89th birthday.
Thousands of revellers packed Berga's main square as fire-devil performers showered the crowd with sparks during Catalonia's UNESCO-listed La Patum festival.
The 79th Annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday (7 June) at Radio City Music Hall, celebrating the strongest performances of the Broadway season, with singer-songwriter P!nk hosting and delivering the opening performance alongside a host of musical guests.
Barcelona is preparing to mark a historic milestone in the legacy of architect Antoni Gaudí as Pope Leo XIV visits the city this week to inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família basilica, almost exactly 100 years after the visionary architect’s death.
Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian-French artist, filmmaker and author best known for the acclaimed graphic novel Persepolis, has died at the age of 56, the French presidency announced on Thursday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment