Festive Gatherings: Family, Fun, and Flair with MATC Times

At midnight on January 1, I will prepare my 21st Banh Chung cake to honor the Lunar New Year. This occasion marks a weeklong festivity that occurs once the moon completes its orbit around the earth. It is a chance for individuals to connect with their family. Regardless of their location, family members will inevitably return home during this period. Sons and daughters will visit their parents, and together they’ll make their way to their grandparents’ residence. Relatives will prepare Banh Chung – which is the most frequently enjoyed dish during the Lunar New Year. Banh Chung is a traditional Chinese meal that includes sticky rice, pork, and mung beans, which resemble peas.

On the initial day of the Lunar New Year festivities, a Dragon Dance and Fireworks take place. Asian communities believe that the dragon symbolizes fortune and prosperity, prompting them to invite a dance troupe to their homes on the first day of the new year to dispel the misfortunes carried over from the previous year. Fireworks are said to drive away ill fortune and usher in wealth for the family throughout the new year.

Additionally, during this celebration, young children receive their “lucky money.” This is cash that family members place in a red envelope and present to the children. Red is the prominent color during the holiday as it signifies joy, warmth, and good fortune. Numerous traditional activities such as calligraphy are also available for families to engage in. Depending on the calligrapher, individual calligraphy characters may convey different meanings. Common themes include: luck and health.