In brief
As millions join in the celebrations, cultural performances and rich customs signify the arrival of spring and new beginnings.
More than a billion people worldwide are celebrating the Lunar New Year, marking the transition into the Year of the Snake with vibrant fireworks and joyful family gatherings. Events began on Tuesday, with celebrations continuing as the first new moon signals the start of spring. Lunar New Year, known as Seollal in South Korea and Tet in Vietnam, reigns as a pivotal holiday across Asia, often instigating the world's largest annual migration as families reunite.The customs, while varying among different regions, share core practices of familial bonding, rituals for prosperity, and sumptuous feasts. In preparation, many visit temples to leave offerings of traditional dishes and burn incense as a tribute to their ancestors. Children joyously receive red envelopes filled with money in China, symbolizing luck and blessings, while in communities across Southeast Asia, dazzling dragon dances take place to usher in good fortune.From the bustling streets of Manila to solemn ceremonies in Bangkok, communities are embracing traditions as they bid adieu to the Year of the Dragon and welcome all the hope that the Year of the Snake promises. The festive atmosphere captures the essence of unity and cultural heritage, embodied in activities such as performances that light up the sky with molten steel and colorful parades that weave vibrant narratives of existence and hope.
