I am sure you have heard of the Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year. It is not only celebrated in China, but throughout East Asia. The Lunar New Year is about welcoming a new Year with hope for luck and prosperity, and it lasts about 15 days. Each year corresponds to an animal of the Chinese Zodiac. There are 12 animals and cycles over 12 years. 2022 will be the year of the Tiger.

Traditions are the best part of this very important holiday. It is all about spending time with family and wishing all a better new year. People in different countries celebrate it a little differently, but for the most part, it is celebrated with lucky red and gold decorations. While spending time with family, you can be assured that you will be eating delicious foods too. People believe that if you eat well the first day of the new year that you will eat well for the rest of the year. Traditional foods like whole fish dumplings and egg rolls are normally eaten the first day of the celebrations. Or sweet rice balls, which symbolize family togetherness.

The other exciting tradition is the gift giving. You may receive red envelopes with money, but most people gift tangerines and oranges. These fruits are traditionally given because they represent good luck. But there are many other fruits like cherimoyas, kumquats, pomelos, pomegranates, grapes and apples, just to name a few, that are also considered “Lucky Fruits”. You can find all these delicious, fresh, lucky fruits throughout the Farmers’ Markets.

At the end of the Lunar New Year you will celebrate with fireworks and parades, traditionally performing the dragon or the lion dance. Lastly, you will have the lantern festival. This marks the end of the holiday and first full moon of the lunisolar calendar. It is often displayed with beautiful lanterns that symbolize love and hope.