Lunar New Year
Celebrations for 2023
- 7th Annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade
Join the Portland Chinatown Museum for the 7th Annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration. Presented in partnership with the Oregon Historical Society - Lan Su Chinese Gardens
Celebrations at the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland from January 21 - February 5, 2023. - Vietnamese Community of Oregon’s Tet Festival
Attend the VNCO Free Tet Festival on
January 21, 2023 from 10:00am to 5:00pm in Portland. - Oregon 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration
Presented by Chinese Friendship Association of Portland - Tết in Seattle from Seattle Center
Celebrate on January 14-15, 2023 in person at the Seattle Center - Lunar New Year Celebration (virtual): Smithsonian Museums.
A variety of online and virtual programs to celebrate Lunar New Year including music and activities.
Organized by the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Happy New Year from the PCC Library!
The Year of the Rabbit/Cat begins on January 22, 2023.
May the New Year bring you good fortune and happiness!
*image from the 2017 Dragon Dance & Parade in Portland, Oregon by CHF, CC-BY-4.0.
Lunar New Year
The Chinese tradition of representing the years with animals dates back to the Han dynasty (approx. 220 BCE). The 12 year cycle of the animals in the Chinese Zodiac is similar to astrological signs. Each year is represented by an both animal and element. People who are born in that year are said to have the particular characteristics or mannerisms of the animal, both positive and negative, that are also effected by the element. The 12 animals include: rat/mouse, ox/buffalo, tiger, rabbit/cat, dragon, snake, horse, sheep/goat/ram, monkey, chicken/cock/rooster, dog, and pig. The 5 elements include: metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. January 22, 2023, is the beginning of the year of the water rabbit.
The Lunar New Year is an important traditional holiday to China and other Asian countries such as Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan. It is also known as Chinese New Year, Spring Festival, Asian New Year, Tsagaan Sar, Seollal, or Tết. It occurs on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar. The exact date of the Lunar New Year can vary from year to year on the Gregorian (U.S.) calendar, which is based on the cycles of the sun, since the lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon.
The Lunar New Year is celebrated over a number of days. It is a time for merriment and remembrance with family and friends. Traditional customs include gifts of red envelopes and oranges; special foods such as dumplings and long noodles; and celebrations with fireworks and lion dancers.
*image of lanterns from Dileep Kaluaratchie, CC4.0
