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In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, millions of citizens of Chinese descent endured decades of discrimination during former President Soeharto’s repressive rule. Kumquat trees are popular – and auspicious – decorations to mark the Lunar New Year Vietnam also has its own zodiac, which does not include the rabbit, so it will celebrate the arrival the Year of the Cat. Vietnam calls the festival “Tet”, South Korea, “Seollal” and Indonesia, “Imlek”. Many cities around the region will be far quieter than usual. There are also raucous celebrations in Cambodia, even though it is not an official holiday there.īusinesses and government offices will close for seven days of public holidays in China and at least a few days elsewhere. The event is also celebrated in Taiwan, Mongolia, Vietnam and many countries in Southeast Asia – such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
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In China, the 15-day celebration is also known as the Spring Festival and is the most important holiday of the year.
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This year, the celebrations start on January 22. The Lunar New Year, as its name suggests, is based on the cycles of the Moon and falls on a different day each year – usually between late January and the middle of February. Here’s what you need to know: What is the Lunar New Year? But it is also an important event for people of Chinese descent in places such as Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore, as well as for Vietnamese and Koreans.īut what is the Lunar New Year and how is it celebrated? Many of those welcoming the Lunar New Year are from China, where the festival is marked by a week of public holidays. Thus, beginning the tradition to hang lanterns and set off fireworks on the 15 th of the Lunar New Year.Hundreds of millions of people from around the world are about to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit. The Jade Emperor was fooled into believing that the village had then become set a light and justice served. The village erupted into turmoil and panic over the imminent destruction of their homes, until an old-wise man suggested the villagers hang red lanterns in the streets and light firecrackers in the streets. The Jade Emperor’s daughter caught wind of the plan and warned the village of the storm intended for them. This angered the Jade Emperor as he loved the crane so, he planned a storm of fire that would consume the village in his vengeance for the precious crane. When the crane landed on earth it was hunted and killed by local villagers. This origin of the lantern festival speaks of magnificent crane that flew down from heaven to earth. From then it developed into a folk custom, thus the lantern festival was born.Ī more fantastical story but still common in China follows the rage of the Jade Emperor.
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Ming liked this tradition and ordered all households, temples, and the imperial palace to light lanterns on the same evening. Ming noticed that the Buddhist monks would light lanterns on the 15 th day of the first lunar month. At the time of Emperor Ming’s reign Buddhism was growing in popularity across the whole of China. One of the most common origins of the lantern festival comes from a story that occurred during the reign of Emperor Ming. Here are two of the most well-known stories about the origins of the festival. The first lantern festivities date back to approximately 2,000 years ago with the origin of the festival taking the form of many different tales. On the night of the lantern festival, the streets are decorated with colourful lanterns, often with riddles written on them as well as other festivities like fireworks, food, and dancing.
#Lunar new year lanterns full#
The Chinese Lantern Festival commences on the 15 th day of the Lunar New Year and marks the first full moon in the lunar calendar and the start of the spring season. Traditionally to end the celebrations of Chinese New Year, also referred to as Lunar New Year, the Chinese Lantern Festival is celebrated.
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