Which countries celebrate and omit Lunar New Year?

In 2024, the Lunar New Year will begin on Saturday, February 10, marking the “year of the dragon.” However, for Thailand, 2024 is the “year of the Naga” — the mythical snake. The year of the dragon is said to be a time of potential and opportunity.

Lunar New Year is a holiday marking the first new moon of the lunar calendar, which is the traditional calendar used in many Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, and Korea. In these and other Asian countries, it is one of the most important holidays of the year.

2024 will be the year of the dragon

Many cultures use the Gregorian calendar to count the passage of time, but others use other means. The Gregorian calendar used by most of the world does not track the phases of the moon and sun, while the lunar calendar does. This is why Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year on the Gregorian calendar.

This New Year celebration is also known by many different names in different cultures. For example, in China, it is called Chūn Jié. In Vietnam, it is called Tet, Seollal in Korea, Losar in Tibet or Tsagaan Sar in Mongolia...

Each Lunar New Year corresponds to a zodiac sign, which includes several animals based on the 12-year cycle. Lunar New Year 2024 is the “year of the dragon”, the fifth sign in the zodiac calendar. People born in the year of the dragon are said to be confident, independent, charismatic, ambitious, adventurous and fearless. However, there are different zodiac signs depending on the country, such as 2023, which is the cat in Vietnam and the rabbit in China.

Recent Dragon years include 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964 and 1952.

Dragon dance held by Asian community on New Year's Day in Melbourne, Australia

Red is the most popular colour during Lunar New Year because it is traditionally associated with happiness, luck, wealth and good fortune. It also has its origins in the Chinese holiday – red is a tool to ward off evil spirits, hence the red lanterns and firecrackers associated with New Year's Day.

Lunar New Year is celebrated today all over the world, especially in places with large populations of Southeast Asian or East Asian descent.

However, currently only a few countries and territories in Asia celebrate Lunar New Year, including: China, Vietnam, South Korea, North Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia. Some countries also celebrate Lunar New Year on a large scale, but mainly in the Chinese community in "China Town" areas such as Thailand, Indonesia...

Many places in Asia shoot fireworks to celebrate the New Year.

China

Immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions of Chinese New Year. From mesmerizing dragon dances to heartwarming family reunions, Chinese New Year is an explosion of culture and tradition in China that visitors won’t want to miss.

Lunar New Year wouldn’t be complete without a dragon dance in this country. You’ll see these long, majestic dragons weaving through the streets, controlled by a team of people.

Vietnam

Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam begins many days before the new year, when people take to the streets to shop, decorate or clean their houses... In particular, experiencing the Tet market or flower market is something that cannot be found anywhere else. Visitors will find streets filled with festive goods, decorations of traditional Tet dishes, and colorful flowers...

During Tet, many Vietnamese people visit pagodas to pray for a prosperous and healthy year ahead. It is a peaceful and beautiful experience, offering a glimpse into the spiritual side of Vietnamese culture. Visitors can also venture into traditional Tet dishes such as banh tet, banh chung…

Nguyen Hue Flower Street is crowded on Tet holiday

Korea

Lunar New Year is called Seollal in Korea. It is a time when traditional Korean clothing, hanbok, is worn with pride. Many Koreans, both young and old, wear these colorful and elegant costumes during the festivities.

One of the most important Seollal traditions is Charye, where families pay respect to their ancestors by setting the table in a ritualistic manner.

Korean people in traditional hanbok

Japan

By the time neighboring countries begin celebrating their own New Year in late January or through February, the Japanese have long since finished their New Year holidays. The Japanese celebrate the New Year on January 1st of the Gregorian calendar and call this New Year's Day (Ganjitsu).

Japanese people go to temples on the first day of the new year according to the Gregorian calendar.

In 1873, as part of the Meiji Restoration, Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in an attempt to catch up with the West. At the time, the prevailing attitude among the Japanese elite was that Asian customs were inferior to those of the West and were holding back the country's development, including the Lunar New Year. They believed that eliminating this day would reduce holidays, focus on work, increase national output, and develop the economy...

Nowadays, Lunar New Year is only celebrated in some places where ethnic Chinese live in Japan.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-quoc-gia-nao-don-va-bo-tet-nguyen-dan-185240131085405429.htm