February 10, 2024 - As we step into the Lunar New Year of 2024, marked as the Year of the Dragon, it's time to delve into the rich tapestry of traditions, celebrations, and cultural significance that surround this auspicious occasion. Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of joyous festivities, family reunions, and centuries-old customs observed by millions around the globe. Let's embark on a journey through 100 fascinating facts about Lunar New Year 2024, exploring its history, symbolism, and diverse practices.

1. Origin: Lunar New Year traces its origins back over 3,000 years to ancient China, where it was initially celebrated as a festival to honor ancestors and deities.

2. Lunar Calendar: Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows the solar year, Lunar New Year is based on the cycles of the moon, typically falling between January 21st and February 20th.

3. Zodiac Animals: Each Lunar New Year is associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon, a symbol of strength, fortune, and power.

4. Dragon Dance: One of the most iconic performances during Lunar New Year celebrations is the dragon dance, where performers manipulate a long dragon costume to the beat of drums and cymbals, symbolizing prosperity and good luck.

5. Red Envelopes: Known as "hongbao" in Mandarin and "lai see" in Cantonese, red envelopes filled with money are given as gifts during Lunar New Year to symbolize prosperity and ward off evil spirits.

6. Spring Cleaning: Leading up to Lunar New Year, families engage in thorough cleaning of their homes to sweep away any bad luck from the previous year and make way for good fortune.

7. Reunion Dinner: The eve of Lunar New Year is marked by a lavish reunion dinner, where families come together to share traditional dishes and bond over stories and laughter.

8. Fireworks: Fireworks are a common sight during Lunar New Year celebrations, believed to scare away evil spirits and usher in a year of prosperity and happiness.

9. Floral Decorations: Flowers such as orchids, peonies, and pussy willows are popular decorations during Lunar New Year, symbolizing beauty, wealth, and growth.

10. Lion Dance: Alongside the dragon dance, the lion dance is another traditional performance that symbolizes courage, strength, and good fortune.

11. Nian Gao: A sticky rice cake known as "nian gao" is a traditional Lunar New Year delicacy believed to bring prosperity and success in the coming year.

12. Family Reunions: Lunar New Year is a time for families to come together, often traveling long distances to celebrate with loved ones and strengthen familial bonds.

13. New Clothes: Wearing new clothes during Lunar New Year symbolizes a fresh start and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.

14. Temple Visits: Many people visit temples and offer prayers during Lunar New Year to seek blessings for health, wealth, and happiness.

15. Ancestor Worship: Honoring ancestors is a central part of Lunar New Year traditions, with families paying respects at ancestral gravesites and altars.

16. Festival Foods: Traditional Lunar New Year foods hold symbolic meanings. For example, fish symbolizes abundance and prosperity, while dumplings represent wealth and good fortune.

17. Lantern Festival: The fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, known as the Lantern Festival, marks the end of the celebrations with colorful lantern displays, riddles, and festive activities.

18. Tết in Vietnam: Lunar New Year is celebrated as Tết in Vietnam, characterized by similar customs such as family reunions, festive foods, and temple visits.

19. Seollal in Korea: In Korea, Lunar New Year is known as Seollal, featuring customs like ancestral rites, traditional bowing ceremonies, and special foods like tteokguk (rice cake soup).

20. Tết Nguyên Đán in Vietnam: Tết Nguyên Đán is the official name for Lunar New Year in Vietnam, with celebrations lasting for several days and incorporating unique customs like giving li xi (lucky money).

21. Sebae in Korea: Sebae is a traditional Korean New Year's bowing ceremony where younger family members bow to their elders to show respect and receive blessings in return.

22. Chúc Mừng Năm Mới in Vietnam: "Chúc Mừng Năm Mới" translates to "Happy New Year" in Vietnamese and is a common greeting exchanged during Tết celebrations.

23. Festival of Lights: During Lunar New Year, many communities host lantern festivals, illuminating the night sky with vibrant displays of light and color.

24. Kumquat Trees: Kumquat trees are popular decorations during Lunar New Year, symbolizing prosperity and wealth in Chinese culture.

25. Year of the Dragon: According to the Chinese zodiac, individuals born in the Year of the Dragon are believed to be strong, ambitious, and destined for success.

26. Lunar New Year Parade: Cities around the world host colorful parades featuring dragon and lion dances, cultural performances, and festive floats to celebrate Lunar New Year.

27. Tết Trung Thu in Vietnam: Tết Trung Thu, or the Mid-Autumn Festival, is sometimes considered a second Lunar New Year in Vietnam, celebrated with mooncakes, lanterns, and lion dances.

28. Sebaetdon in Korea: Sebaetdon is a traditional Korean New Year's gift of money given to children by elders as a token of good luck and prosperity.

29. Cherry Blossoms: In Korea, the arrival of cherry blossoms in spring coincides with Lunar New Year, symbolizing renewal, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life.

30. Nian Monster Legend: Legend has it that the Nian monster would terrorize villages until the villagers discovered that it was afraid of loud noises and the color red, leading to the tradition of using fireworks and red decorations during Lunar New Year.

31. Longevity Noodles: Eating longevity noodles during Lunar New Year symbolizes the wish for a long and prosperous life.

32. Tết Foods: Traditional Tết foods in Vietnam include bánh chưng (sticky rice cake), bánh dày (round glutinous rice cake), and pickled vegetables.

33. Sebae-tarye in Korea: Sebae-tarye is a formal New Year's bowing ceremony performed by children to their elders, expressing gratitude and receiving blessings for the year ahead.

34. Spring Festival Couplets: Red banners with auspicious phrases and poetry, known as "chunlian," are displayed on doorways during Lunar New Year to invite good luck and fortune into homes.

35. Bac Ha Market: Bac Ha Market in Vietnam is famous for its bustling Lunar New Year celebrations, featuring colorful ethnic costumes, traditional music, and lively dancing.

36. Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon: The Gyeongju Cherry Blossom Marathon in South Korea often coincides with Lunar New Year, offering runners a scenic route lined with cherry blossoms in full bloom.

37. Lucky Foods: Foods like tangerines, oranges, and pomelos are considered lucky during Lunar New Year due to their round shape and golden color symbolizing wealth and prosperity.

38. Tết Nguyên Tiêu in Vietnam: Tết Nguyên Tiêu, also known as the Lantern Festival in Vietnam, is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month with lantern parades, lion dances, and fireworks.

39. Sebae-rye in Korea: Sebae-rye is a traditional New Year's bowing ceremony performed by children to their parents and grandparents, expressing filial piety and respect.

40. Festival of Happiness: Lunar New Year is often referred to as the Festival of Happiness, bringing communities together in celebration and spreading joy and goodwill.

41. Chúc Sức Khỏe in Vietnam: "Chúc Sức Khỏe" translates to "Wishing you good health" in Vietnamese and is a common New Year's greeting exchanged during Tết celebrations.

42. Sebaet-don in Korea: Sebaet-don is a monetary gift given to children by elders during Seollal, symbolizing blessings for a prosperous future.

43. Lion Dances: Lion dances are performed during Lunar New Year to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck and fortune to the community.

44. Tết Đoan Ngọ in Vietnam: Tết Đoan Ngọ is a traditional holiday in Vietnam celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, featuring dragon boat races and offerings to ward off evil spirits.

45. Seollal Foods: Traditional foods enjoyed during Seollal in Korea include tteokguk (rice cake soup), jeon (pan-fried pancakes), and yakgwa (honey cookies).

46. Lucky Colors: Red and gold are considered auspicious colors during Lunar New Year, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and good fortune.

47. Banh Tet: Banh Tet is a traditional Vietnamese rice cake enjoyed during Tết celebrations, made from glutinous rice and filled with mung beans and pork.

48. Seollal Greetings: "Seollal Chukha Hamnida" is a common greeting exchanged during Seollal in Korea, wishing others a happy Lunar New Year.

49. Firecrackers: Firecrackers are set off during Lunar New Year to chase away evil spirits and ensure a prosperous and auspicious start to the year.

50. Tết Greetings: "Chúc Mừng Năm Mới" and "Sống Lâu Trăm Tuổi" are common greetings exchanged during Tết in Vietnam, wishing others a happy new year and longevity.

51. Dragon Boat Races: Dragon boat races are held during Tết Đoan Ngọ in Vietnam, featuring teams competing in colorful boats adorned with dragon heads and tails.

52. Seollal Traditions: Sebae (New Year's bowing), ancestral rites, and sharing traditional foods are key traditions observed during Seollal in Korea.

53. Lunar New Year Markets: Markets brim with festive goods and traditional snacks during Lunar New Year, offering a lively atmosphere for shopping and socializing.

54. Tết Sweets: Sweets like candied fruits, coconut candies, and lotus seed paste are enjoyed during Tết in Vietnam, symbolizing sweetness and prosperity.

55. Korean Hanbok: Traditional Korean attire known as hanbok is worn during Seollal, with vibrant colors and intricate designs reflecting the beauty of Korean culture.

56. Lunar New Year Greetings: "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Mandarin) and "Sun Lien Fai Lok" (Cantonese) are common Lunar New Year greetings exchanged in Chinese communities worldwide.

57. Lantern Riddles: During the Lantern Festival, lanterns adorned with riddles are hung in public spaces, challenging visitors to solve them for prizes.

58. Tết Celebrations: Tết celebrations in Vietnam typically last for seven days, with each day marked by specific customs and traditions.

59. Sebae-hoe in Korea: Sebae-hoe is a formal New Year's bowing ceremony performed by children to their elders, expressing respect and receiving blessings for the year ahead.

60. Lunar New Year Wishes: "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Mandarin) and "Gong Hey Fat Choy" (Cantonese) are popular Lunar New Year wishes meaning "Wishing you prosperity."

61. Korean Tea Ceremony: Traditional tea ceremonies are held during Seollal in Korea, symbolizing respect, harmony, and the sharing of blessings.

62. Lunar New Year Games: Games like mahjong, cards, and dice are popular during Lunar New Year gatherings, fostering camaraderie and friendly competition.

63. Tết Music: Traditional Vietnamese music, including folk songs and drum performances, adds to the festive atmosphere during Tết celebrations.

64. Seollal Ddeokguk: Tteokguk, or rice cake soup, is a symbolic dish enjoyed during Seollal in Korea, with the round shape of the rice cakes symbolizing harmony and unity.

65. Lunar New Year Decorations: Homes are adorned with red lanterns, paper cutouts, and images of the Lunar New Year zodiac animal to attract good luck and prosperity.

66. Tết Fashion: Traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses and ao ba ba shirts are worn during Tết celebrations, adding elegance and cultural flair to the festivities.

67. Seollal Hanbok Rentals: In South Korea, hanbok rental services allow locals and tourists alike to experience the beauty of traditional attire during Seollal.

68. Lunar New Year Markets in China: Markets across China bustle with activity during Lunar New Year, offering an array of goods from festive decorations to traditional snacks.

69. Tết Cuisine: Traditional Tết dishes in Vietnam include bánh chưng, bánh dày, pickled onions, and boiled chicken, symbolizing prosperity and abundance.

70. Seollal Greetings: "Seollal Chukha Hamnida" and "Sehe Bok Mani Baduseyo" are common greetings exchanged during Seollal in Korea, wishing others a happy and prosperous new year.

71. Lunar New Year Customs: Customs like giving red envelopes, cleaning the house, and abstaining from negative words or actions are observed to ensure a smooth start to the new year.

72. Tết Lanterns: Colorful lanterns shaped like animals, flowers, and mythical creatures adorn streets and homes during Tết celebrations in Vietnam.

73. Seollal Traffic: Seollal is a peak travel period in Korea, with millions of people traveling to their hometowns to celebrate with family, leading to heavy traffic congestion.

74. Lunar New Year Greetings in China: "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Mandarin) and "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Mandarin) are common greetings exchanged during Lunar New Year in China.

75. Tết Fireworks: Fireworks light up the night sky during Tết celebrations in Vietnam, symbolizing the joy and excitement of the new year.

76. Seollal Traffic Safety: Authorities in Korea implement measures to ensure safe travel during Seollal, including increased police presence and traffic control.

77. Lunar New Year Markets in Vietnam: Markets like Bến Thành in Ho Chi Minh City are popular destinations for Tết shopping, offering everything from traditional foods to festive decorations.

78. Tết Traditions: From giving offerings to ancestors to visiting temples and pagodas, Tết traditions in Vietnam are deeply rooted in spiritual beliefs and cultural heritage.

79. Seollal Hanbok Fashion Shows: Fashion shows featuring hanbok designs are held during Seollal in Korea, showcasing the beauty and diversity of traditional Korean attire.

80. Lunar New Year Taboos: Taboos like avoiding sweeping or taking out the garbage on Lunar New Year's Day are observed to prevent the sweeping away of good luck and fortune.

81. Tết Countdown: Similar to New Year's Eve countdowns, people gather in public squares to welcome the arrival of Tết with fireworks and festivities.

82. Seollal Travel Tips: Travelers in Korea are advised to book transportation tickets well in advance and expect crowded conditions during Seollal.

83. Lunar New Year Blessings: "Wan Shi Ru Yi" (May everything go as you wish) and "Xin Chun Kuai Le" (Happy Spring Festival) are common blessings exchanged during Lunar New Year.

84. Tết Music and Dance: Traditional music and dance performances entertain crowds during Tết celebrations in Vietnam, adding to the festive atmosphere.

85. Seollal Hanbok Workshops: Hanbok workshops allow participants to learn about traditional Korean attire and even try their hand at making their own garments.

86. Lunar New Year Art and Crafts: Artisans create intricate paper-cuttings, calligraphy scrolls, and decorative items themed around the Lunar New Year for sale at markets.

87. Tết Parade: Colorful parades featuring dragon and lion dances, martial arts performances, and traditional music wind through the streets during Tết celebrations.

88. Seollal Food Delivery Services: With many families opting for convenient dining options, food delivery services cater to the high demand for traditional Seollal dishes.

89. Lunar New Year Lantern Making: Lantern-making workshops offer participants the opportunity to create their own colorful lanterns to display during Lunar New Year.

90. Tết Flower Markets: Flower markets spring up across Vietnam during Tết, offering a dazzling array of blooms like peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and chrysanthemums.

91. Seollal Hanbok Photo Studios: Photo studios specializing in hanbok photography allow individuals and families to capture timeless memories in traditional attire.

92. Lunar New Year Calligraphy: Calligraphy artists showcase their skills by writing auspicious phrases and blessings for visitors during Lunar New Year festivities.

93. Tết Travel Packages: Travel agencies offer special Tết travel packages for those looking to explore Vietnam's cultural heritage and join in the Lunar New Year celebrations.

94. Seollal Temple Stay Programs: Temple stay programs during Seollal offer participants the chance to experience Buddhist practices and meditation in serene temple settings.

95. Lunar New Year Charity Events: Charitable organizations organize events and fundraisers to help those in need during Lunar New Year, spreading compassion and goodwill.

96. Tết Street Performances: Street performers entertain crowds with traditional music, dance, and acrobatics during Tết celebrations, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

97. Seollal Traditional Games: Games like yutnori (traditional board game) and tuho (arrow tossing) are enjoyed by families during Seollal gatherings, fostering friendly competition.

98. Lunar New Year Art Exhibitions: Art galleries host exhibitions featuring Lunar New Year-themed artworks, showcasing the creativity and talent of local artists.

99. Tết Food Festivals: Food festivals featuring a wide variety of Tết specialties attract food enthusiasts eager to sample traditional flavors and culinary delights.

100. Seollal Cultural Experiences: Cultural centers offer immersive experiences where visitors can learn about Korean traditions, including bowing rituals, tea ceremonies, and traditional crafts.

As we celebrate Lunar New Year 2024, let us embrace the spirit of unity, joy, and renewal that this auspicious occasion brings. May the Year of the Dragon be filled with prosperity, happiness, and blessings for all! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Seollal Chukha Hamnida! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!