Introduction

As we embrace the arrival of the Lunar New Year, a momentous occasion for many in the Asian diaspora, I want to explore the role that cultural celebrations can play in our well-being. As a licensed psychologist specializing in AAPI mental health, I am excited to provide more information about Lunar New Year and suggest ways to celebrate and connect.

What is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year is a historically and culturally significant holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world, including many Asian countries and ethnic groups. It marks the beginning of the new year based on the lunisolar calendar. This is a different type of calendar from the modern Gregorian calendar we use today. It was based on lunar cycles, which were approximately 29 to 30 days long. In Asia, this calendar system originates in China, where it first appears to have been used under Emperor Huang Ti at about 2600 BC. Due to China’s political and cultural influence, other parts of Asia, particularly Korea and Vietnam, also adopted the lunisolar calendar and celebrated the new moon phase following the winter solstice. I want to acknowledge that not all Asian countries and cultures celebrate this occasion or follow the Chinese calendar.

The lunar calendar is not unique to the Asian continent, however, as it was used by many ancient cultures, such as the Sumerians and Mayans. “Lunar New Year” is what we call this event in North America but it is known by other names in Asia. In China, it’s called the Spring Festival. In Korea, it’s known as Seollal(설날), and it’s Tết in Vietnam. Lunar New Year is usually in late January or early February. This year, Lunar New Year falls on February 10, 2024. Though that is the official date, holidays in Asian countries for the New Year typically begin before that date and may go beyond it by one or two days.

The Meaning of a New Moon in the New Year

Looking at China’s agrarian history, it makes sense that the new moon following the winter solstice was a time of celebration. It marked the transition from winter, a time of rest and dormancy, to spring, a time of activity and re-birth. When human survival depended on what could be saved for the winter, this time of year offered hope for more sustenance or prosperity in the future. Compared to the New Year in the west, Lunar New Year more closely mirrors seasonal change and harmony with nature.

How Lunar New Year is Celebrated

Lunar New Year traditions are different in every Asian country that celebrates the holiday. But in each Asian country, it is a time deeply rooted in tradition and familial connections. In China, cleaning and decluttering, as well as tying up loose ends, are important pre-New Year activities. The idea is that when you sweep out the old year, you make space for good fortune to enter your life. In some parts of Asia such as China, the day before the holiday there is a reunion dinner when families gather to re-connect and usher in the new year together. Red decorations are common for the New Year in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. However, red decorations are not a traditional custom in Korea. Other common rituals across the continent may include:

• Dragon Dances (China, Singapore, Malaysia), Lion Dance (China, Vietnam, Malaysia):

  • Traditional lion and dragon dances are performed in streets and public spaces. The vibrant and dynamic performances are believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.

• Fireworks and Firecrackers (Various Cultures):

  • The loud noises from fireworks and firecrackers are believed to scare away evil spirits and ensure a fresh start for the new year.

• Red Envelopes (China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong):

  • Red envelopes, or "hongbao" in Mandarin, filled with money are given as gifts. The red color symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

• Traditional Clothing (Various Cultures):

  • Wearing new and brightly colored clothes, often in shades of red, is a common tradition during Lunar New Year. Although red is not a New Year’s color in Korea, many people wear hanbok, or traditional Korean clothing.

• Visiting Relatives and Friends (Various Cultures):

  • During the festive season, people visit the homes of relatives and friends to exchange greetings and good wishes. This practice strengthens social bonds and promotes a sense of community.

• Traditional Foods (Various Cultures):

  • Lunar New Year is associated with a variety of special foods. In China, dumplings symbolize wealth, while in Korea, tteokguk (rice cake soup) is a traditional dish eaten for good luck and longevity.

• Offerings to Ancestors (Various Cultures):

  • Many families make offerings to their ancestors during Lunar New Year, including placing food on ancestral altars and burning incense. This practice is a way to honor and seek blessings from past generations.

• Temple Visits (Various Cultures):

  • Visiting temples to pray for blessings and good fortune is a common tradition during Lunar New Year. Temples are often bustling with activity and celebrations during this time.

Lunar New Year Supports Asian American Well-Being

Those of us who are part of the Asian diaspora living around the world outside of Asia may not have access to the large public celebrations occurring in Asia, but this is still an occasion for both celebration and reflection. Engaging in cultural celebrations allows us to reconnect with our heritage, fostering a sense of belonging and identity. These celebrations become a powerful means of grounding ourselves in everyday life. When we acknowledge and celebrate something special in our culture, we nurture and strengthen the parts of ourselves that face racism, microaggressions, and the pressure to assimilate.

Reminding Yourself That You Belong

One of the most positive aspects of Lunar New Year is its emphasis on community and connection. Whether it's through family and/or chosen family gatherings, community events, or even virtual celebrations, the sense of togetherness during this time can be a powerful antidote to feelings of isolation. This positive engagement with one’s ethnic or cultural group can also bolster identity and self-esteem in the face of anti-Asian sentiment and racism.

Lunar New Year also presents an opportunity to cultivate a sense of belonging for those who may have felt rejected by their Asian family-of-origin or community. Connecting with peers who accept you for who you are without toxic judgment and expectations can help you reclaim cultural parts of yourself that felt complicated because of trauma and/or estrangement. In other words, Lunar New Year is about seeking belonging and connection in a way that feels safe and welcoming for you.

Resources for Learning More

• Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

• Woman’s Day Article on Seollal

Ways to Celebrate in Northern California

• Lunar New Year, San Jose, February 3-4, 2024

• 2024 Chinese New Year Culture Association, Sacramento, February 24, 2024

• Lunar New Year Celebration, Elk Grove, January 27, 2024

• Multiple Events in San Francisco’s Chinatown, February 3-25, 2024

Wishing you a joyful and fulfilling Lunar New Year!

One of my favorite depictions of Chinese New Year is from the vlogger Li Ziqi. Although I’m not of Chinese descent and not all of the activities and foods are familiar to me, I find this video of New Year’s preparations so comforting. Of course, it goes without saying that this is a professional, highly edited and stylized depiction of New Year’s and this should not be the standard we use for our own celebrations. Feel free to think of this as an experience of beauty and sensory engagement. I hope you enjoy it.