Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays in many East and Southeast Asian cultures. Major celebrations take place in China, South Korea, Vietnam and many other Asian countries. The Lunar New Year typically begins in late January or early February.
Lunar New Year is mainly centered on being with your family to have feasts in honor of elders and spending time together. Homes are cleaned thoroughly before the new Lunar Year starts to sweep away any bad misfortune, but always try to avoid cleaning up during New Year’s day to keep all the good luck.
East and Southeast Asian communities have celebrations and festivals around Lunar New Year Day to honor their ancestors, reunite with family, mark the start of spring and welcome good fortune. These festivals mostly consist of lion or dragon dances, loud firecrackers to ward off evil spirits, hóngbāo (red envelopes) with money, red decorations for luck, and wearing new clothes for good luck and good fortune. Foods like fish and dumplings are very important and symbolic, especially during these days. Fish representing abundance, dumplings representing wealth and noodles representing long life.
Certain colors like white and black are usually not worn during Lunar New Year because of the meaning those colors have. White is strongly associated with death and mourning; black is associated with negativity as well as death and mourning, alongside grey. Colors like red, yellow, gold and other vibrant colors are mostly worn during this time because of their good meaning. Gold or Yellow both represent wealth, royalty and fortune. Red is the most popular color worn during this day because it symbolizes luck, happiness and prosperity. Other bright colors like pink, orange and green are also associated with positivity.
Lunar New Year is a time of deep cultural significance and hope for prosperity. This year, is the year of the “Fire Horse.” People born this year are considered adventurous, charismatic, hard working, yet often stubborn or impatient. Fire Horses are known for their passionate and rebellious nature, making this year associated with potential chaos and great progress. Historically, horses were symbols of authority and power, often associated with military strength and speed.
Here in Texas, we also celebrate Lunar New Year the same way, but with more diversity. At 2625 W Pioneer Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75051, with free entry and parking, Asia Time Square will be hosting one of the largest annual Lunar New Year festival in the North Texas area during Feb. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 21 and 22.