Lunar New Year Celebrations and Study
This week 3rd graders were lucky to have their classmate’s mom speak with the entire grade about Tết, Vietnam’s new year celebration. She and her daughter took the time to prepare “year of the rabbit” red envelopes (lì xì) for every 3rd grader and explained that in Vietnam, the zodiac cycle actually celebrates the year of the cat instead of the rabbit.
Our special guest also shared a lunar calendar, citrus fruits, coloring worksheets, and a tray of traditional candies to display. Her final gift was boxes of mini firecrackers, which 3rd graders threw this afternoon to celebrate the beginning of Tết on Sunday. Chúc mừng năm mới! (‘Happy New Year!)
Did you know? Sunday, January 22, 2023 is the second new moon after Winter Solstice and the first day of the Lunar New Year, which is recognized in different ways by different Asian cultures. It is the most important festival in China (where it is known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival), and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea (where it is known as Seollal), in Vietnam (as Tet), as well as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries with a significant overseas Chinese population.
While the observances vary from a few days to 15 days when the full moon comes, traditions of cleaning the house before the new year and spending time eating with family cross over the cultural practices. How do you like to celebrate Lunar New Year?
