Chinese New Year AKA Spring Festival

Chinese New Year (CNY) is the most important holiday celebrated in China and other East and Southeast Asian countries including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, Brunei, Phillippines, and East Timor. Also known as the "Spring Festival," it is the start of the new year according to the lunar calendar. The holiday began as a time for celebration and feasting and to honor heavenly deities and ancestors. Although it is the coldest time of the year, it marks a turning point in the seasons, when people begin to look forward to spring, which symbolizes new beginnings and fresh starts.

The Chinese believe that what you do on this day will have an effect on your life in the coming year, so here are a few traditions that are followed on Lunar New Year.

Avoid taking medicine or visiting the hospital: It is considered taboo to take any medicine or see a doctor on the first day of the new year, because it will bring bad health for the rest of the year
Eat noodles: The long continuous strands of noodles represent long life, so eating them on CNY brings longevity.
Also eat Dumplings: Boat-shaped dumplings resemble Chinese silver/gold ingots and therefore signify wealth and bring monetary luck if consumed on the first day of the year.
Do not let children cry: Crying will bring bad luck all year long.
Avoid breaking cutlery: It is bad luck to break a bowl, spoon, or dish on this day and will bring monetary loss.
Avoid lending or borrowing money: It can also herald financial misfortune in the coming year.

2022 is the year of the tiger, which signifies an energetic, fast-paced year full of big adventures. The tiger also means a year of Yang with active energy and growth. As I head off to college this year, I am certainly feeling the energy and excitement for adventures that lay ahead for me this year.

So, in the spirit of the new year, "Xīnnián hǎo" which translates to 'New Year Goodness'. And specifically for this year, wishing you all "Hǔ hǔ shēng wēi" which means 'Wishing you fullness of the vigor and vitality of the tiger."

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