A Guide to the Customs of Lunar New Year: Legendary Creatures and Fortunate Foods
For two billion people, the start of the Lunar New Year is this weekend marked by the bang-bang-bang and billowing smoke of firecrackers, undulating red and gold dragons, and the tantalizing smells of steamed and fried treats. The celebration, sometimes called Chinese New Year, varies in timing every year due to its reliance on the lunar and solar cycles, but it often takes place in late January or early February. It's regarded as the most significant holiday in over ten nations, including China, Korea, and Vietnam. It's similar to Thanksgiving and Christmas combined and is a time to get together with family and eat a lot of food. Although the largest celebrations occur throughout a large region of East and Southeast Asia, immigrants in the United States also participate in the festivities. Since 2018, Xinqian "Allison" Qiu, a doctorate candidate in American studies, has been researching Chinese American Lunar New Year celebrations in the Washington, D.C., region. Eve...