What is Lunar New Year?

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The County Administration Center was lit in Celebration of Lunar New Year on Sunday.

In celebration of Lunar New Year, the Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees (APACE) shared the following message:

The Lunar New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, which corresponds with the phases of the moon. According to this lunar calendar, Lunar New Year begins on the first day of the first lunar month. This year, Lunar New Year falls on Jan. 22 and is observed for 15 days, meaning it will run through Feb. 5. 

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are traditionally celebrated with family and can include religious ceremonies honoring ancestors. 

On New Year’s Day, family members receive red envelopes with money that symbolize good wishes and luck for the year ahead. 

In addition, the holiday is celebrated with fireworks, lion dances, colorful lanterns and by eating what are considered auspicious foods like fish, dumplings, noodles, glutinous rice balls, spring rolls, rice cakes, rice cake soup and tangerines.

Origins

The origins of Lunar New Year are thousands of years old and are steeped in legend. One legend is that thousands of years ago a monster named Nian (year) would attack villagers at the beginning of each year.

Because the monster feared loud noises, bright lights and the color red, red paper decorations were pasted on doors, lanterns were burned all night and firecrackers were lit to keep him away.

Who celebrates it?

Today, Lunar New Year is celebrated in China, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia and other countries. Lunar New Year goes by many names including, Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, Chūnjié (in Mandarin), Seollal (in Korean) and Tết (Vietnamese).

Year of the Water Rabbit

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, or more specifically the Water Rabbit. People born in these years (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023) are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded and ingenious. Lucky numbers for rabbits are: 3, 4 and 6. Lucky colors are pink, red, purple and blue. And lucky days are the 26th, 27th and 29th. The year 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. The luckiest Chinese zodiac signs this year are oxen, tigers and snakes.

Upcoming Events (free to public)

  • San Diego Tết Festival in Mira Mesa:
    Jan. 27 at 5-10 p.m., Jan. 28 at 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Jan. 29 at 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Mira Mesa Community Park, 8575 New Salem St. This three-day celebration will have a night market, lion dancing, cultural village, food vendors, beer garden, live entertainment, carnival rides, contests, games, prizes and more.

  • Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Poway Library:
    Jan. 28, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at 13137 Poway Rd. Enjoy fun for the whole family with balloon animals, crafts and entertainment. A special Lion Dancers performance will begin at 3pm.

  • Crafting Culture: Traditions of the Chinese Lunar New Year at College-Rolando Library:
    Jan. 28, 1-2:30 p.m. at 6600 Montezuma Rd. Presented by the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum. Learn the tale of how the Chinese zodiac came to be. We will also discuss the Chinese tradition of having a New Year’s Eve dinner, placing a couplet at the door, using firecrackers, and saying auspicious phrases during the Chinese New Year period.  

  • San Diego Chinese New Year Fair at Gaslamp Quarter:
    Feb 4-5 at 428 Third Ave. A two-day event celebrating the Lunar New Year, showcasing exciting performances, Asian Art and culture, an array of delicious Chinese and Asian food, and much more. 

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