Christina Park ‘23
Guest Writer
Happy Lunar New Year! This year, Lunar New Year falls on Tuesday, February 1, although the celebration often extends for multiple days.[1] Lunar New Year, which is also known as the “Spring Festival” and by various other names around the world, is an incredibly important celebration in many East Asian and Southeast Asian cultures.[2]
The holiday is rich with traditions, which vary across cultures—from vibrant red envelopes filled with money, to lantern festivals, dragon dances, and traditional foods, the Lunar New Year is celebrated and enjoyed in many ways around the world. As a Korean-American, whenever I think of the New Year, I think about eating my dad’s homemade tteokguk, which is a traditional Korean rice cake soup associated with the Lunar New Year. Every year, my mom also always reminds us to eat noodles, which are meant to symbolize long life.[3] Beyond my own experience, food seems to be a universally central part of celebrating the Lunar New Year. For example, in many Asian cultures, eating and sharing certain fruits, such as kumquats, pomelos, and other golden colored fruits, are critical components of the Lunar New Year celebration.[4]
In addition to the food and festivities, the Lunar New Year is also widely associated with the twelve zodiac animals (the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig) and five elements (earth, water, fire, wood, and metal).[5] Each year in the Lunar calendar is associated with one of the zodiac animals and one of the elements.[6] This year is the Year of the Water Tiger, which symbolizes strength, bravery, and taking action.[7] I know I could certainly use a little bit of that this year, and I am hopeful that the Year of the Water Tiger will be a year full of joy, peace, and love for everyone. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy Lunar New Year!
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cgp9gx@virginia.edu