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More than a billion people across Asia are celebrating the Lunar New Year as the Year of the Snake, starting on Tuesday with fireworks, family gatherings, and traditional feasts. The first new moon marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of this year’s traditions in many cultures. From China to Southeast Asia, people honor their ancestors, seek prosperity, and bring good luck through rituals like lighting lanterns, eating red envelopes, and performing dragon dances.
In China, children receive red envelopes filled with blessings, while families enjoy feasts featuring traditional dishes. In the Philippines, lion dancers light firecrackers in Manila, and in Vietnam, dragon races are held to ward off disasters. Across Southeast Asia, dragons symbolize good luck and are a staple in festive decorations. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, folk dancers perform intricate dragon figures at parks.
Fireworks are a global spectacle, with events taking place in cities like Beijing, Yangon, and Jakarta. In Japan, people pray at temples as they prepare for the celebrations. Thousands of volunteers also help spread the spirit of Lunar New Year through performances and offerings.
These traditions not only bring joy but also foster connections between generations, symbolizing resilience and hope for a prosperous year ahead.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/28/world/asia/lunar-new-year-photos.html