HOW TO CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR

A fresh new start

This Lunar New Year falls on 1 February 2022. As the first holiday in the lunar calendar, the festival represents new beginnings. It’s observed all over East and Southeast Asia, each country with their own traditions, and celebrated across the globe. From wearing new outfits in fortuitous colours to gathering for family feasts full of symbolic dishes, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the festival and welcome in a bright and optimistic year ahead. In China, celebrations last for 15 days, while in Vietnam, preparations and festivities begin from the Christmas season to celebrate Tết. Homes are dressed in red and yellow to bring good fortune, and people consider what they do on the dawn of the Lunar New Year to determine their fate for the whole year.

Gather together for a feast

To commemorate the first day of Lunar New Year, the easiest tradition to get involved with is to gather loved ones together for a feast. Along with New Year snacks, placed in a round ‘Tray of Togetherness’ with six compartments to greet visiting guests, families celebrate by preparing lucky dishes, including fish (served whole), spring rolls, fruit, glutinous rice cakes, dumplings, rice balls and noodles – thought to symbolise longevity and happiness.

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