From China to Korea, here’s how different countries turn the final page of the lunar calendar.
When the Lunar New Year arrives each year, it brings a flood of fond memories for me.
Seollal was just one way my parents tried to keep our heritage alive.
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Here’s how Lunar New Year is celebrated throughout Asia.
As part of the celebration, children also receive money and words of wisdom for the forthcoming year.
There are also traditional games people play during the holiday.
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Families often make these dishes from scratch.
Throughout China, family members give each other red envelopeswith money as well.
For that same reason, people also avoid cutting and washing their hair.
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Banh chung is preferred in northern Vietnam, where it can be fried or steamed.
Most families go to the temple together to pray for good luck, health, and fortune.
Children receive red envelopes with money from their older relatives, too.
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Singapore
With an approximately 75 percent Chinese population, Singapore goes all out for Lunar New Year.
Red envelopes that display the phrase “Fu” (meaning good luck) are distributed.
It’s also custom to pay respect to ancestors by going to a temple and lighting incense.
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The annualChingay Paradeis an extravagant celebration that includes everything from giant floats to lion dancers.
Malaysia
In Malaysia, Lunar New Year welcomes spring.
It lasts for 15 days, ending with a grand finale day called Chap Goh Mei.
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(Depending on your ethnic group, there are some specific days for celebration.
For example, Hokkien New Year is observed on the ninth day of Chinese New Year.)
The holiday gives families a reason to come together for an annual reunion dinner.
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Red pocket envelopes (known as ang pow) are given to children and unmarried family members.
Many Buddhist families invite lion dancers to their homes to bless their altars and ward off bad spirits.
People in Malaysia don traditional outfits, called cheongsam (also known as qipao).
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Taiwan
Taiwan is another country that strongly associates the holiday with food.
Dumplings are the most popular dish, closely followed by pineapple.
It’s considered good luck to noteat all the fish and keep some leftovers from your holiday meals.
Most Taiwanese people spend time with family and their elders in their homes.
They exchange red envelopes, and many neighborhoods set off fireworks.
The most traditional celebration is called Media Noche,a midnight feast to summon a year of prosperity.
Many people avoid spending money on the first day of the year to encourage better finances.