Lunar New Year: A Celebration of Renewal and Heritage
Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam, or Seollal in Korea, is a major holiday celebrated by various cultures worldwide. It marks the beginning of a new year based on the lunar calendar, which is why its date changes annually. Unlike the Gregorian calendar used in the West, the lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, often aligning the new year with the second new moon after the winter solstice. The celebration of Lunar New Year is steeped in tradition and symbolism. Each year is represented by one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, with 2022 being the Year of the Tiger. These animals cycle in a specific order, reflecting ancient Chinese beliefs about balance and harmony in the universe. Lunar New Year festivities are a time for renewal, family reunion, and paying respect to ancestors. Various symbolic foods are eaten during the festival. In Chinese culture, dumplings are often made, symbolizing wealth for the upcoming year because of their resemblance to ancient Chinese gold ingots. In Korea, Tteokguk, a soup made with sliced rice cakes, is consumed, signifying the gaining of a year in age. Lunar New Year is not just a celebration of a new year, but a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, familial bonds, and hopes for the future.
Question 1
What is the Lunar New Year also known as in Vietnam?
Tet
Seollal
Spring Festival
Festival of Lights
New Moon Festival
Question 2
What does the Lunar New Year mark the beginning of?
A new school year
Harvest season
The end of winter
A new year based on the lunar calendar
The summer solstice
Question 3
What do dumplings symbolize in Chinese culture during the Lunar New Year?
Longevity
Prosperity
Wealth
Luck
Happiness
Question 4
What is the 2022 Lunar New Year animal in the Chinese zodiac?
Rabbit
Dragon
Horse
Monkey
Tiger
Question 5
What does the Lunar New Year celebration symbolize?
End of winter
Start of spring
Renewal, family reunion, and respecting ancestors
Harvest time
Victory of light over darkness
or share via
Assign the ReadTheory pretest to determine students' reading levels.
