Happy Lunar New Year!
Thank you to Trung Do for shining a spotlight on Lunar New Year - see what he shared below:
Most of us have likely heard of “Chinese New Years” but there are other cultures that also follow the Lunar Calendar. The Chinese, Koreans, Laotians, Singaporeans and (raises hand) the Vietnamese! “Vietnamese New Years”, also known as Tết (pronounced “Thet”), falls on February 12th this year. “This year”? Yes, New Years under the Lunar Calendar doesn’t always fall on the same date. This is due to the fact that lunar years do not always have the same number of days. I’ve never done the math but it’s quite possible that I am 5 years older than what I think I am, in lunar years.Each lunar year represents a different zodiac animal, each with their own characteristics. You can go to the website here, enter your date of birth and you’ll be directed to your zodiac animal’s page. You’ll find your Personality Traits, other animals that you are supposed to be compatible with (or not) and also some famous celebrities with the same zodiac animal. FYI, I am a monkey. Tết is usually a 3 day event (though we usually spend the day before to do a thorough household cleaning). Each day is traditionally celebrated by a different family activity: Day #1- visiting immediate family and elders; Day #2- visiting extended families; and then Day #3- visiting cemeteries or paying homage at home to ancestors.It’s a celebration filled with the sharing of traditional treats, red envelopes filled with “lucky money” and then some friendly (sometimes) gambling to test your new found luck.A picture is generally “worth a thousand words”, so here are some videos that will give you a better sense of the celebrations:
Vietnamese Lunar New Year | What is Tet?: a great overview of the various traditions that come with the holiday
Tet Fireworks 2020: fireworks are huge during Tết because it is believed that the loud noises drive off unlucky spirits.
Orange County Tet Festival 2020: Orange County likely houses the largest population of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. Every year they host a huge celebration that covers multiple blocks. It’s been ages since I’ve gone just because it gets too crowded for my taste. I’m sure it will look different this year but here is a glimpse during better times.
