Today marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year. This fifteen-day festival is celebrated by millions of people around the world, including much of Asia, which is why the Lunar New Year is also often referred to simply as the Chinese New Year. It’s a fantastic celebration steeped in myths and folklore with plenty of revelry to go around.
So for those of you who are new to the Lunar New Year, here are five cool customs that you can celebrate in honor of this auspicious occasion.
Dragons Galore
One of the primary animals associated with the Chinese New Year is, of course, the dragon. Most of us already know this thanks to the well-known dragon dance in which many people come together as different parts of one long dragon parade. From the streets of China to the streets of Chinatown, this festivity is arguably the most recognizable custom of the Chinese New Year, at least from a Western standpoint. It’s also an incredible form of live performance that everyone should experience at some point in their lifetime. After all, how can you truly call yourself a Weird Wanderer until you’ve hung out with a gigantic dragon?
Wear red, not black
In Chinese culture, red is the color of good luck and good fortune, so everything from clothing to lanterns are arrayed in red. But if you’re dressing for the occasion, be sure to eschew the color black; it represents death, something that’s got no place in a festival of life and rebirth.
Cook Dumplings and Long (Uncut) Noodles
When it comes to culinary traditions during the Lunar New Year, nothing beats dumplings and noodles. However, you must take care not to cut the noodles as a broken or cut noodle can lead to bad luck for the year. The dumplings themselves represent wealth, so if you do accidentally bite a noodle in two, maybe an extra serving of dumplings can help balance your faux pas.
Make Rabbit-Shaped Lanterns
Along with dragons, rabbits are another animal very often related with the Lunar New Year. The fifteenth or last day of the New Year celebration is marked with the Festival of Lanterns. Among other forms, these lanterns frequently take the shape of rabbits in honor of the goddess, Chang E, who took a rabbit with her on her trip to the moon.
Spring Cleaning
It’s a new year, so it’s time for a fresh start. A major custom of the Lunar New Year is to do a thorough cleaning of the house to prepare it for the coming year. And no matter where you are in the world or what day you celebrate your New Year, isn’t this as good a time as any to clean those closets and shelves? The Year of the Goat (or Ram) might be your most tidy yet.
Happy haunting, and happy Lunar New Year!
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons