Lunar New Year Traditions That We Should Carry Out All Year

Lunar New Year is full of meaningful traditions steeped in values of family, community and generosity. Here are 3 Lunar New Year traditions that I think would make life happier if we practiced them all year round.

Happy Lunar New of the Water Rabbit!

According to various Chinese Zodiac sources, the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity and 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.

The Rabbit zodiac sign brings peaceful, patient energy to the year, while the water element enhances intuition and inner wisdom. So this year we should all be more sensitive to our emotions while approaching challenges and opportunities with calm rationality.

I have been busily preparing to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit this week. In Hong Kong, this holiday is bigger than Christmas. There is a week of pre-holiday preparation traditions, 3 days of public holidays, followed by 2 weeks of the new year opening traditions.

Here is a great infographic from the article "Chinese New Year Celebrations and Activities (2023): Day-by-Day Guide" from chinahighlights.com

As a Canadian raised Hong Kong-Chinese, these traditions were not a part of my upbringing and am still learning more about them after returning to Hong Kong to live 25 years ago. The more I learn the more I appreciate the meaning and values behind the Lunar New Year traditions and many others.

Here are my favourite 3 Lunar New Year traditions that I think would make life happier if we practiced them all year round.

1. Cleaning and Decorating the Home with Auspicious Things

One of the first traditions I learned in preparation for the Lunar New Year is to prepare the home to receive the new year.

Cleaning the house before the Lunar New Year is meant to sweep away the bad energy in order to prepare for receiving new year luck and prosperity. Decorating the home with flowers and auspicious decorations invites luck and blessings into the home for the new year.

These practices can help to make us happier all year round. When our home environment is clean and clutter-free, we feel more at ease and comfortable. Decorating the home, with colourful flowers or things that make us feel happy, makes our home welcoming and a more positive environment.

2. Remembering Loved Ones No Longer With Us

It's a common practice to make offerings or pay respects to ancestors during Lunar New Year's Eve or New year's Day. This can be done by burning incense sticks and placing new year's food offerings at the mini in-home shrines of loved ones no longer with us.

This tradition pays respect to ancestors who are believed to protect their descendants and bring them good luck and prosperity.

We can keep our ancestors in our thoughts more often throughout the year. We can share stories and memories of them to pass on to future generations. The love and legacy of our loved ones who have passed will live in us through remembering them. What a wonderful practice for sharing family history.

3. Exchanging Wishes of Luck, Health and Prosperity

I am still learning to recite the various Chinese proverbs that represent Lunar New Year wishes of good luck, good health and prosperity. What I love is the enthusiasm and sincerity that these greetings are shared with during the new year season.

Wouldn't it be great to receive such support and care throughout the year?

We all can benefit from giving and receiving well wishes throughout the long 12 months full of both opportunities and challenges. Sharing support and kindness not only makes others feel good, but it also makes us feel good. Why limit the practice to just the Lunar New Year?

Connecting With My Heritage Through Cultural Traditions

Growing up in Canada from the age of 6, I spent most of my childhood and youth trying to not be Chinese and fit in with my western surroundings. But as I got older, wanted to learn more about my heritage. Learning about my cultural celebrations and traditions has made me more connected to where I came from and who I am.

Celebrating with knowledge about the traditions and their meaning has made the richest moments and memories of the Lunar New Years past and present.

I sincerely wish you a Happy Year of the Water Rabbit, full of hopes fulfilled, good health and great prosperity!

Finally, I end this week with a great video from TED-Ed telling the story of how the animal order of the Chinese Zodiac came to be. Share it with your children and spark some cultural learning.