Lunar New Year 2023: Today’s Doodle celebrates the Lunar New Year, an important holiday in several Asian cultures! Each year, after the first new moon of the Lunar calendar, communities around the world set up decorations, prepare festive foods, and celebrate the new year with family and friends.
A popular legend dates the Lunar New Year celebration’s traditions back thousands of years. Nian was rumoured to appear on the eve of the Lunar New Year and terrorise humans and livestock. Nian was frightened by loud noises, the colour red, and fire, so it became customary for families to decorate their doors with red paper, set off fireworks, and leave lanterns lit all night.
Today, red remains an integral part of Lunar New Year celebrations, as people hang red lanterns on the streets and give children and senior citizens money in red envelopes. During celebrations, traditional meals are popular, and they vary around the world. For instance, pineapple tarts and yusheng (a dish with raw fish and salad) are staples in Singapore and Malaysia, whereas bánh chng is a popular dish in Vietnam (a rice cake made with mung beans, pork, and other ingredients wrapped in bamboo leaves).
Chinese New Year Wishes, Greetings, Quotes to celebrate Lunar New Year
This is the Year of the Rabbit, which is associated with prosperity and peace. The Doodle is made of paper to honour the Chinese tradition of paper-cutting (Jianzhi), which dates back to the Lunar New Year.
No matter where you are celebrating, I wish you a happy Lunar New Year and a prosperous 2023!
