Monday, February 3, 2025

Lanterns, Luck, and Love: Filipino Traditions for Chinese New Year

    

      Chinese New Year has become a big deal in the Philippines, and it’s not just something for Filipino-Chinese families anymore. Over the years, it’s become a holiday that brings everyone together. Sure, it started with Chinese traditions, but Filipinos have embraced it as their own. It’s a time to celebrate new beginnings, family, and of course, good luck. 

        The event has a long history in the Filipino-Chinese community, which has played an important part in Philippine society for many years. Chinese New Year is a time for Filipino-Chinese families to strengthen their bonds, take measure of the previous year, and anticipate new possibilities. The holiday has gained acceptance from non-Chinese Filipinos as well, making it a really inclusive event. In the Philippines, hoping for luck and prosperity is a major aspect of Chinese New Year. To draw luck, Filipinos frequently dress in red and adorn their homes with lucky decorations like oranges and lanterns. Food also plays a major role in the celebration, with families sharing dishes that symbolize wealth and unity. One of the most beloved traditions is giving "ang pao," red envelopes filled with money, to wish others a successful year ahead.

    But beyond the traditions and festivities, Chinese New Year is really about togetherness. It’s a time for Filipinos to reconnect with family and friends, show gratitude for the past year, and embrace the fresh start that a new year offers. It’s a celebration of unity, love, and hope for the future. In the end, Chinese New Year has become more than just a Chinese holiday for Filipinos. It’s a time to honor tradition, celebrate family, and look forward to a prosperous year ahead. Whether through food, family gatherings, or simply reflecting on the year past, the holiday brings Filipinos together in a shared celebration of life and new beginnings.





References:

Blogger. (n.d.). Blogger. Retrieved February 3, 2025, https://www.blogger.com/

Rove.me. (2025, January 29). Chinese New Year in the Philippines [Photograph]. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://rove.me/to/philippines/chinese-new-year

New York Daily News. (2025, January 29). Lunar New Year 2025 celebrations worldwide [Photograph]. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/01/29/lunar-new-year-2025-celebrations-worldwide-photos/

Squarespace. (n.d.). Chinese New Year Celebration [Photograph]. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64905b55d2da1763d70b05d0/e9a19ae2-adae-4af0-a820-963204724070/30.png?format=1500w

Island Pacific Market. (2023, January). Feast for Chinese New Year [Photograph]. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://islandpacificmarket.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Feast.jpg

Asia Society. (n.d.). Chinese New Year celebrated in the Philippines. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://asiasociety.org/philippines/chinese-new-year-celebrated-philippines

Manila Bulletin. (2024, February 9). Why Chinese New Year is important for Filipinos. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/8/why-chinese-new-year-is-important-for-filipinos

Time and Date. (n.d.). Lunar New Year in the Philippines. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/lunar-new-year-day#:~:text=Filipino%2DChinese%20communities%20in%20the,closer%20family%20ties%20and%20peace

2 comments:

  1. Happy Lunar Year! your references is so long that it looks like a whole paragraph. Still, I admire the cleanliness and formality of all your blogs, Very nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used APA format to cite all necessary sources, as they are essential for my blog. I understand it might look lengthy, but I wanted to ensure completeness and accuracy. I appreciate the feedback! :)

      Delete

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