Happy Lunar New Year
Today marks the start of the Lunar New Year—commonly called the Chinese New Year—and the celebration lasts for 15 days, ending on February 12th with the Lantern Festival.
Many Asian countries celebrate this festival, and it is, strictly speaking, a lunisolar festival rather than a purely lunar festival, as it follows the lunisolar calendar, which is based on the lunar phase and the time of the solar year. It still has the ancient aims of welcoming spring, honouring ancestors and reuniting families.
The Chinese zodiac comprises twelve animals that rotate with one animal each lunisolar year.
This year, it is the year of the snake.
The snake symbolises wisdom, elegance, and mystery, and those born in the year of the snake are said to possess intelligence, have a calm nature, be good at communicating, and be highly creative.
Firecrackers, lion dances, and lanterns form a huge part of the Lunar New Year celebrations, as does the colour red, which symbolises good luck and prosperity.
And food is a very important part of the celebrations, with family members gathering to share meals. Many favourite dishes are eaten as they symbolise prosperity, health and abundance for the coming year.
Noodles
Citrus fruit
Sweet rice balls
Spring rolls
Chicken
Fish
Dumplings
Sticky rice cakes
Leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, and pak choi (bok choy).
I enjoy trying different cuisines from all around the world, and Chinese is one of my favourites.
Our local Chinese restaurant is holding a New Year party tonight with fireworks to finish.
Do you have any special events in your part of the world to celebrate the Lunar New Year?
Will you be doing anything different today or at the weekend, maybe having a meal of Chinese/Asian food?
If so, what are your favourite dishes?
Here’s to a healthy, lucky, and prosperous Lunar New Year for everyone!
Happy Year of the Snake!
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