How to Celebrate Each Day of Lunar New Year
While Lunar New Year Day has passed, the fun has just begun.
Because Lunar New Year always begins on the first new moon of the lunar-solar calendar (Feb. 17 this year) and ends on the first full moon (March 3), it lasts a whopping 15 days. And each and every day is full of practices and traditions.
Lunar New Year Eve — While occurring before the official 15 days, LNY Eve is still an important part of the holiday. On this night a reunion dinner is typically held, featuring lucky foods like dumplings, noodles, and a whole fish. (Check out the annual LNY Eve feast hosted by Pearl River Mart owners Mr. and Mrs. Chen.)
Lunar New Year Day — The first official day of the new year is full of fun. Firecracker ceremonies and lion dancing are meant to scare away evil spirits. Wearing new clothes signifies a new start while the giving of red envelopes is considered lucky for the gifter and giftee.
Day 2 — Exhausted now? Chill with loved ones or stay at home.
Day 3 — The third day is called Chi Kou ("red mouth" or "red dog"), and is considered ripe for arguments. Best to avoid social interactions.
Day 4 — Welcome back, Kitchen God! It was believed that before the LNY period, the Kitchen God left the family hearth to visit heaven and report to the Jade Emperor on the family's behavior (kind of a like a tattletale Santa Claus). On the fourth day, families would welcome him back with wine, food, and incense.
Day 5 — Called Po Wu ("break the five"), the fifth day is when you can engage in LNY taboos such as cleaning. It's also a time to pray to the God of Wealth. Some say you shouldn't leave the house in case this deity pays you a visit.
Day 6 — What happens on this day depends on who you ask. Some say it's a time to return to work. Others that it's another chance to visit loved ones and temples. Legends differ too. One says the God of Bathrooms visits so better clean yours! Another claims it's the day to send the Ghost of Poverty packing, which you can do by clearing out old clothing and other junk.
Day 7 — Birthdays for everyone! The seventh day is known as the People's Birthday, stemming from the belief that the mother goddess, Nuwa, created humanity on this day. So what should you do? Feast on birthday foods like noodles (long life) and fish (success) of course.
Days 8 and 9 — Back in the day, folks would pray to the Jade Emperor, also known as the God of Heaven.
Day 10 — Another old-timey tradition called for praying to the God of Stone. According to agrarian belief, handling stones and rocks in any way could tee off this grumpy god, ensuring crops would be ruined in the upcoming year.
Days 11 and 12 — During more traditional times, married women were only allowed to visit their parents with their husbands on the 11th day of LNY, returning on the 12th. Nowadays family and loved ones simply gather for sumptuous meals.
Day 13 — After all that rich food, it's time for a cleanse. Light, often vegetarian meals are eaten on this day (such as Mrs. Chen's 10-Veggie Delight).
Day 14 — It's time to prepare for the Lantern Festival!
Day 15 — The last day of LNY, aka the Lantern Festival, always coincides with the first full moon of the year. Traditions include lantern hanging, lantern riddles, and eating tangyuan, sticky rice balls that are round like lanterns.
Check out even more Lunar New Year traditions.
[Image: Three generations of the Pearl River Mart family enjoy their Lunar New Year Eve feast]
