Lunar New Year 2024

Lunar New Year 2024

Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures. It is celebrated widely in, most famously, China but also Vietnam, Korea and many others. Over time, it has been increasingly celebrated across the world, including many families who live in Bracknell Forest.

The New Year celebrations usually last for multiple days, not just one day as in the Gregorian calendar’s New Year. In 2024, Lunar New Year begins on 10 February.

Sunny Lau, who is a member of Bracknell Hong Kong Community group, said: 

Tied to the lunar calendar, the holiday began as a time for feasting and to honour household and heavenly deities, as well as ancestors.

Each culture celebrates the Lunar New Year differently, and has various foods and traditions that symbolise prosperity, abundance and togetherness.

Some households hold rituals to offer food and paper icons to ancestors. Others post red paper and banners inscribed with calligraphy messages of good health and fortune in front of, and inside, homes. Elders give out envelopes containing money to children. Foods made from glutinous rice are commonly eaten, as these foods represent togetherness. Other foods symbolise prosperity, abundance and good luck.

Full History............