Lunar New Year vs Chinese New Year: Clear The Misconception

Have you ever heard someone refer to Lunar New Year as Chinese New Year? It might seem like a minor detail, but it’s actually a common misconception that can be quite confusing.

In this blog post, we will compare Lunar New Year vs Chinese New Year and dive into the differences to understand why it’s important to be culturally sensitive and accurate in our language.

But before that, let’s consider the following analogy: Can you call a Christian a Catholic? Is the United Kingdom England?

The term “Christian” refers to someone who follows a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Catholicism is a specific denomination within Christianity, so a person who is Catholic is also a Christian. However, it is not accurate to refer to all Christians as Catholics because there are many other denominations within Christianity, such as Protestantism, Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism, among others.

It is also not accurate to say that the United Kingdom is England. The United Kingdom is a sovereign country that consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. England is just one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom, so it is not the same as the United Kingdom as a whole.

So, just like a Christian is not the same as a Catholic, and the United Kingdom is not the same as England, Lunar New Year is not the same as Chinese New Year!

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Lunar New Year vs Chinese New Year: Definition

Lunar New Year is a festival based on the first day of the new year in the lunisolar calendar – a calendar based on cycles of the Moon’s phases and the sun’s position. It is widely celebrated in Asia, including China, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and more.

Chinese New Year is only one festival under the umbrella term of Lunar New Year and refers to the celebration specific to Chinese culture. While Lunar New Year is widely celebrated by countries in Asia, Chinese New Year is only observed in China and celebrated by Chinese people. 

It is important to recognize that Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year are not interchangeable terms, as using Chinese New Year to refer to the holiday celebrated by other cultures beyond China can be disrespectful and dismissive of their traditions.

In summary, while many Asian countries observe Lunar New Year, they do not celebrate Chinese New Year. It is crucial to respect and acknowledge the diversity of cultural practices and to use language that accurately reflects these differences.

Lunar New Year Traditions: Vietnamese New Year vs. Chinese New Year vs. Korean New Year

Lunar New Year is known by different names in different cultures – such as Tết in Vietnam, Seollal in Korea, and Spring Festival in China. In this section, we will take a closer look at some of the specific traditions of Lunar New Year as celebrated by the Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean cultures to see their differences.

1. Vietnamese New Year – Tết nguyên đán

In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is called Tết nguyên đán, also known as the Tet Holiday. One week prior to Lunar New Year’s Eve, Vietnamese families pay respect to the Kitchen God – a deity who is believed to reside in every family’s kitchen and protect the household – by making offerings on the altar and releasing koi fish into nearby lakes and rivers.

This tradition is said to “help” the Kitchen God return to Heaven, where he will report to the Jade Emperor. This ritual is an important part of the Tet Holiday and serves as a way for Vietnamese families to honor their ancestors and seek blessings for the coming year.

During Tet, the preparation of Banh Chung is a significant tradition in the northern countryside. This dish, made from rice, mung beans, and meat wrapped in banana leaves, requires the participation of every family member, from washing the rice to cooking the mung beans and boiling the meat.

The process can take anywhere from 10 to 17 hours, depending on the size of the pot and the number of Banh Chung being prepared. It is common for family members to take turns keeping watch over the fire overnight as the Banh Chung cooks.

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In addition to preparing traditional foods like Banh Chung, Vietnamese families also carefully consider the zodiac sign of the first person to enter their home on the first day of Tet. This individual is believed to have a significant impact on the family’s luck and fortune for the entire year, making the selection of this person a careful and deliberate process.

For example, if the first visitor has an unlucky zodiac sign that year, or if his sign is incompatible with that of the host, it is believed to bring bad luck to the host family. Let’s say, if the host’s zodiac sign is the rat, he may not want to welcome someone with the zodiac sign of the cat as the first person to enter his home.

Another enduring tradition of the Lunar New Year holiday celebrated in Vietnam is the practice of going to see a calligraphy master to obtain red paper calligraphy letters or couplets. These papers are believed to bring luck and help fulfill wishes when hung in the home.

Many Vietnamese families continue to observe this tradition, heading to the calligraphy master during the first few days of the holiday to request specific letters, such as Phuc (Happiness), Loc (Wealth), Tho (Long Life), Duc (Virtue), Tri (Knowledge), or Tai (Talent). The red paper calligraphy is seen as an important way to start the new year off on a positive note and bring blessings to the household.

🧧Ready to learn more about the fascinating traditions of Tết, Vietnam’s Lunar New Year celebration? Discover the rich cultural history and customs of Vietnamese New Year here!

2. Chinese New Year Celebration/Spring Festival – 春节

In China, the Lunar New Year holiday is known as Chūnjié, or the Spring Festival. According to legend, a monster called Nian (meaning “Year”) would attack villages at the beginning of each new year, and the Chinese people would use loud noises, bright lights, and red decorations to scare it away.

These traditions have carried on to the present day, with Chinese people continuing to set off firecrackers and adorn their homes and public spaces with red lanterns and spring couplets. Other common celebrations during the Spring Festival include joining nighttime parades and watching lion dances, which are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

In addition to these specific traditions, Chinese people also observe many of the common customs associated with Lunar New Year, such as exchanging gifts, decorating homes, and enjoying special foods. Overall, the Spring Festival is a time for Chinese people to come together with loved ones, honor their ancestors, and embrace the promise of a prosperous new year.

3. Korean New Year – Seollal

In Korea, Lunar New Year is referred to as Seollal or Korean New Year. One of the central traditions of this holiday is the performance of “sebae”, a ritual bow that is traditionally performed by younger people to wish their elders a happy new year.

This ritual involves bowing deeply while wearing hanbok, the traditional Korean clothing, and placing both hands on the ground. The elders, in turn, offer their wishes for the younger and present them with lucky money as a reward for their show of respect.

The act of sebae is an important way for Korean people to demonstrate their reverence for their elders and to honor the traditional hierarchy of Korean society. It is also a way for younger people to express their gratitude and seek blessings for the coming year.

Common Lunar New Year Traditions and Activities

Despite the various cultural differences in the way that Lunar New Year is celebrated, there are several traditions and activities that are commonly observed across many cultures. Whether it’s the exchange of gifts, the decoration of homes, or the coming together of loved ones, these traditions are an integral part of the celebration of Lunar New Year.

1. Cleaning and Decorating the House

Cleaning and decorating the home before a major holiday is a common practice in many cultures, but it holds particular significance in the context of the Lunar New Year celebrations in China and Vietnam.

In China, the tradition of cleaning the house before the new year is believed to be rooted in the idea that bad luck is attached to dirt, and that sweeping it away can help to usher in a fresh start and bring good fortune for the coming year.

On the other hand, in Vietnam, people thoroughly clean the house before Lunar New Year because they believe good luck sticks to dirt! They refrain from sweeping or disposing of dirt after Lunar New Year Day as it is believed to sweep away good luck and fortune for the entire year, so a thorough cleanse before the holiday is necessary.

2. Return home for Reunion Dinner

As one of the longest public holidays observed in many parts of Asia, Lunar New Year is a time for families to reunite. For those who live and work far from home, this holiday is often an opportunity to make the journey back and reconnect with loved ones.

The importance of this family reunion is reflected in the cultural customs surrounding the holiday, such as the last dinner of the year, which is often considered to be the most significant meal of the year.

3. Serving Special Lunar New Year Food

The celebration of Lunar New Year is often marked by a big feast, as families come together to enjoy the holiday and share special foods. In addition to staple dishes, many families will prepare or purchase traditional foods that are only served during this time of year.

For example, in Vietnam, some popular Tet dishes include Banh Chung, a type of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves with pork filling and mung bean spread; Gio Lua, a Vietnamese sausage made from ground pork, fish sauce, and black pepper; and a whole boiled rooster decorated with a red rose in its mouth, which symbolizes luck, fullness, and well-being.

In China, popular lucky foods for the Lunar New Year include steam fish, which symbolizes prosperity, dumplings, which symbolize wealth, and longevity noodles, which are believed to bring happiness and long life.

Overall, the sharing of special foods is an important part of the celebration of Lunar New Year and a way for families to come together and embrace the promise of a new year filled with good fortune and prosperity.

4. Worshipping Ancestors and Deceased Family Members

In many Asian cultures, it is believed that the spirits of ancestors and deceased family members come home to join in the celebration of Lunar New Year. In order to honor and welcome these spirits, families will often prepare offerings on the altar, such as food, incense, and other items of significance.

The incense is also typically kept burning throughout the holiday in order to maintain a connection with the ancestors and deceased loved ones. This tradition is an important way for families to pay respect to their ancestors and to honor the spiritual aspects of the Lunar New Year celebration. It is also a way for families to come together and remember those who have passed on, and to keep their memories alive as they celebrate the new year.

5. Giving Lucky Money in Envelopes to Children and/or Elders

Lunar New Year is a time for families to come together and exchange gifts, with a particular emphasis on the giving of lucky money. In Vietnam and China, it is traditional to give lucky money in red envelopes, as red is believed to be a lucky color. In Korea, on the other hand, lucky money is often given in white envelopes, which symbolize purity.

In some families, younger people will also give lucky money to their elders in order to show respect and wish them good health. The exchange of lucky money is an important part of the Lunar New Year celebration in many cultures, and it is a way for people to come together and embrace the promise of good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.

6. Visiting the Pagoda

In many Asian cultures, it is a longstanding tradition to visit the pagoda and pay respects to Buddha and the gods during the celebration of Lunar New Year. This is a time for people to come together, offer prayers and make wishes for the coming year.

Different cultures may have different ways of praying, such as writing down wishes and hanging them on a wishing tree, whispering quietly, or chanting with rhythm. Regardless of the specific method, the act of visiting the pagoda during Lunar New Year is an important custom that is shared across many cultures, and it is a way for people to seek blessings for a healthy and happy year ahead.

7. Associate Lunar Year with a Zodiac Animal

One common tradition that is associated with the celebration of Lunar New Year is the use of the animal zodiac, which is based on a 12-year cycle and assigns a specific animal to each year. This zodiac system is used widely throughout Asia and beyond, and it is believed to have a strong influence on people’s personalities and characteristics.

• In Vietnam, the 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Water Buffalo, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
• In China, Singapore, and Korea, the zodiac animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
• In Japan, the 12 Japanese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar.

Many Asian cultures believe that a lunar year is associated with a zodiac animal sign and an element (metal, earth, wood, fire, water). These animal zodiac signs and elements will have an influence on the personalities, careers, love, and fortune of each person. However, since each culture has its own assignment and interpretations of the elements and zodiac signs, the traditions associated with the signs will vary.

 👉 Learn more about the significance and meaning of the Year of the Cat/Rabbit in 2023 here!

Personalities and Traits of 12 Animal Zodiac Signs

People born in the year of the Rat: lively, active, hard-working, adaptable, creative, and ambitious

People born in the year of the Ox or Buffalo: diligent, cautious, principled, and dependable

People born in the year of the Tiger: charming, attractive, lucky, energetic, and ambitious

People born in the year of the Cat (in Vietnamese Zodiac) or Rabbit (in Chinese Zodiac): clever, considerate, diplomatic, elegant, kind, and responsible.

People born in the year of the Dragon: resourceful, ambitious, successful, and powerful

People born in the year of the Snake: intelligent, analytical with a strong interest in philosophy and self-development but have high egos and don’t want to admit their faults

People born in the year of the Horse: straightforward, agile, and resourceful with very good communication skills and kindness

People born in the year of the Goat: loving, caring, and sympathetic

People born in the year of the Monkey: humorous, adaptable, agile, attractive, and frivolous

People born in the year of the Rooster: mature. sincere, and gentle

People born in the year of the Dog: very intelligent, loyal, dedicated, and responsible

People born in the year of the Pig: generous, gullible, and lucky

Travelling in Asia during Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is one of the best times to visit Asia, but it honestly could also be the worst if you are not prepared. It is such a hit or miss, because while you can soak up the festive atmosphere and learn so much about the culture one day, you may find yourself lost and confused when everything is closed the next days!

Since it is the biggest national public holiday in most Asian countries, you will see that many restaurants, shops, spas, and museums are closed, not for one day, but for multiple days after New Year’s Eve. You could also be stranded in a city and find no way out because all airplanes, trains, buses, and taxis are booked as people try to get home for family gatherings.

But don’t be discouraged! If you love immersing in a different culture and trying authentic special food, Lunar New Year presents an amazing opportunity. You will just have to put a bit more work into the planning and prepare yourself mentally before going. Here are a few things you should be mindful of:

1. Book transportations and accommodations in advance
2. Budget a bit more to accommodate for the raised costs caused by high demands
3. Expect some long lines and arrive early (especially the days right before and after Lunar New Year)
4. Check opening times of the places of interest you want to visit
5. Be open-minded and have fun!

Lunar New Year vs Chinese New Year FAQs

The Wrap Up: Lunar New Year vs Chinese New Year

As we have explored, Lunar New Year is a celebration that is celebrated by many different cultures throughout Asia, each with their own unique traditions and customs. While it is often mistakenly referred to as “Chinese New Year,” it is important to recognize that Chinese New Year is specific to the celebration of this holiday in China and among people of Chinese heritage.

Using the term “Chinese New Year” to refer to Lunar New Year as celebrated by other cultures can be perceived as insensitive, ignorant, or even rude, as it denies the traditions and celebrations of those cultures.

It is important to recognize the diversity and richness of the Lunar New Year holiday and to use inclusive and respectful language when discussing it. Whether you are planning to visit Asia during this holiday or simply want to learn more about the customs and traditions of different cultures, it is always helpful to do some extra planning and to come prepared with an open and respectful attitude.