![]() Hopefully, with the new year and setting off fireworks, we will be able to contain this pandemic." "Coincidentally, we draw some historical parallels with where we are now with a new year. There are certain chemical ingredients within firecrackers and fireworks that's been known to either contain bacteria or viral infections," said Chang. "Interestingly, firecrackers traditionally have been a way for Asian folk in ancient times as a tool to contain a pandemic. So folks are exercising a lot of caution when going out and about, because they could be attacked while they're doing essential travel or gathered in groups." We know, this is a time where everybody understands that Asian-owned small businesses are seeing a peak in business. ![]() Nguyen added, "In terms of anti-Asian hate, it's also a holiday that we approach with caution. ![]() "This year has been especially joyful for a lot of families who get to see each other for the first time in a couple of years," said Thu Nguyen. Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, does Lunar New Year 2022 carry a special meaning for Houston's Asian American community? "In Korea, our ancestors would not sleep on New Year's Eve, believing that if you did, it would make your eyebrows go white," said Jin Lee. "You'll hear a lot of firecracker noises, because that is supposed to help scare away the evil spirits," said Alice Lee. So as a kid, I would always take advantage of that and ask my mom for things like candy." "In my culture and region where I grew up, what's funny is we believe you can't say 'no' to people during the first three days of the New Year. You want everything to be positive," said Li. "You don't want to schedule any of your doctor's appointments on the first day of the New Year, unless it's an emergency, of course. So you don't want to cut any of that away," said Thu Nguyen. Everything is around your health, wealth, and safety. It's not something you should do during the first two weeks of the New Year. "You should get your haircut or your manicure/pedicure before Lunar New Year. What are some superstitions or taboos surrounding Lunar New Year? What other countries celebrate Lunar New Year besides China? It's like Thanksgiving in America," said Jin Lee, an instructor at the Houston Korean Education Center. The biggest holiday among them is Chuseok, which falls on the fifth day of August of the Lunar calendar. "In Korea, many holidays are celebrated based on the Lunar calendar. So a lot of farmers rely on this calendar to determine when to plant crops and when they should expect rain or drought," said Chang. Farming is one of the largest industries in East and Southeast Asian societies. "The lunar calendar is traditionally used for agricultural functions. So I always have to be careful calculating it, because it'll change in our everyday calendar each year," said Thu Nguyen, executive director of OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates. "We typically do memorials for the death anniversaries of our ancestors, especially grandparents and great-grandparents according to the lunar calendar. Other than Lunar New Year, is the lunar calendar used for anything else throughout the year? ![]() We have 365 days a year, but in a lunar year, there's about 354 days a year." ![]() "A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year. Chang, chapter president of OCA Greater Houston. Hence the name, lunar calendar," said H.C. The lunar calendar is premised on the movement of the moon. "Right now, we use the Gregorian calendar, which is a calendar based on the movement of the sun. Why is Lunar New Year on a different date every year? Houston's Asian American community spoke with ABC13's Race and Culture reporter Rosie Nguyen to give us a better insight into Asian traditions. But there are details that are not commonly known about the holiday. We know the occasion is typically showcased through cultural clothing, food, dancing, games, and more. RELATED: Lunar New Year 2022: What to know about the traditions and celebration for the year of the Tiger 1 kicks off the Year of the Tiger for approximately 1.5 billion people, who are celebrating Lunar New Year across the world. ABC13's Race & Culture reporter Rosie Nguyen speaks with Houston's Asian American community about traditions for the Lunar New Year. ![]()
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