February 1 marks Lunar New 12 months in 2022, the 12 months of the Tiger within the Chinese language lunisolar calendar.
"The Lunar New 12 months begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice and falls between January 21 and February 19 on the Gregorian calendar utilized in the US," explains the U.S. Congressional Analysis Service web site.
The most important vacation is celebrated by many Asian communities within the U.S. and in different international locations, and it options in at this time's Google Doodle. Right here we take a look at among the Lunar New 12 months traditions from around the globe.
1. Eat 'Fortunate' Meals
Chinese language New 12 months sees households serving completely different meals which are believed to convey luck and success, comparable to peanuts ("huasheng") and dates ("zao"), in line with the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia College in New York Metropolis.
Two standard sweets eaten throughout Lunar New 12 months embrace "zaogao" (a cake made with floor dates) and a rice cake referred to as "niangao."
Peanuts are related to fertility and longevity, whereas the Chinese language phrase for cake ("gao") is equal to a phrase which means "exalted" or "lofty."
When "gao" is preceded by the phrase for 12 months ("nian"), it's "homophonous with a time period which means to advance in an upwardly cell vogue, 12 months by 12 months," the institute explains.
In South Korea, one Lunar New 12 months meals staple is a savory rice cake soup referred to as "ddeokguk" (additionally spelled "tteokguk"), which is made with slices of an extended, thick rope-shaped white rice cake, beef and egg in a broth.
The slices of rice cake are formed like cash, which symbolize wealth. The lengthy rope type of the rice cake represents longevity, whereas the rice cake's white colour signifies purity and a clear begin for the brand new 12 months, the Dr. Sook-ja Yoon, the founder and director of South Korea's Institute of Conventional Korean Meals in Seoul, informed the BBC.
In Vietnam, among the typical Lunar New 12 months meals embrace stewed pig's ft with bamboo shoots, bitter melon soup, and boiled hen, in line with the Congressional Analysis Service web site.
2. Rejoice Birthdays
Koreans in addition to Chinese language individuals comply with a singular age system, whereby an individual would not flip a 12 months older on the precise date of their beginning, however somewhat on New 12 months's Day. Some individuals mark this event on the Photo voltaic New 12 months date (January 1), whereas others are inclined to mark it on Lunar New 12 months.
Including to the complexities, one's time within the mom's womb can also be counted as a 12 months of life, so you're a 12 months outdated at beginning.
So Korean custom says after getting your "ddeokguk," you are now a 12 months older. Logic would possibly lead you to suppose: "If I do not eat ddeokguk, I am going to technically nonetheless be the identical age and be without end younger, proper?" Not fairly.
Dr. Yoon stated: "Even in the event you do not eat it, you'll nonetheless age. So that you would possibly as effectively take pleasure in your bowl of soup."
3. Keep away from the Quantity 4
The Weatherhead East Asian Institute explains that in Lunar New 12 months, it is essential to keep away from the quantity 4 ("si") as a result of it sounds just like the phrase for demise in Chinese language.
"Any phrases and their homonyms associated to demise, sickness, or chapter are inauspicious," the institute says.
In South Korea, the quantity 4 can also be a superstitious quantity related to demise (because of the Korean phrase for "4" being spelled the identical as the primary half of the Korean phrase for demise)—a lot in order that elevators in South Korea function the letter "F" as an alternative of the quantity 4 on the button for the fourth flooring.
4. ...Or Selecting Up a Broom
In accordance with the Columbia College institute, historically individuals keep away from selecting up a brush throughout Lunar New 12 months out of a concern of "by chance sweeping good luck out the door."
Even the sight of a brush might probably "portend a 12 months stuffed with housekeeping drudgery," the institute says.
5. Clear Houses and Settle Disputes
In Vietnam, the month main as much as Lunar New 12 months entails shopping for new garments, cleansing and adorning your properties in addition to settling any excellent money owed or disputes, in preparation for a recent new 12 months forward, the Congressional Analysis Service web site explains.
6. Kids Obtain Cash
In China, South Korea, Vietnam and different Asian international locations, kids obtain items of cash from elder relations throughout Lunar New 12 months.
Kids and different members of the family honor their aged relations and ancestors by bowing to them and holding conventional ceremonies with foods and drinks choices, such because the "charye" ritual in South Korea.
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