Legends
In Korea, families gather to play this traditional board game that uses four wooden sticks instead of dice.
Yut Nori
In this Southeast Asian island nation, the "River Hongbao" festival is held annually at Marina Bay to celebrate the New Year.
What is Singapore
This invention, originally created by monks in ancient China seeking immortality, is now used for celebratory fireworks.
What is Gunpowder
In Korea, eating this sliced rice cake soup is essential because it signifies turning one year older.
Tteokguk
The phrase "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (or "Gong Hay Fat Choy") translates roughly to "Wishing you" this.
Wealth (or Prosperity)
In Singapore and Malaysia, when visiting family, it is customary to exchange two of these fruits with both hands as a symbol of exchanging luck.
Mandarin Oranges
Known for its vibrant flower markets during Tết, Ho Chi Minh City and this northern capital city are the heart of Vietnamese celebrations.
What is Hanoi
The Chinese Zodiac cycle is based on the orbital period of this planet, which takes roughly 12 years to circle the sun.
What is Jupiter
In the Philippines, this sticky sweet treat (a local version of Nian Gao) is eaten to ensure family bonds "stick" together.
Tikoy
It is considered bad luck to buy this footwear during the New Year because the word sounds like "rough" or "sighing" in Cantonese/Mandarin.
Shoes
In Vietnam, it is tradition to release this freshwater animal into a lake or river so the Kitchen God can ride it up to Heaven.
Carp (or Goldfish)
Seollal celebrations often involve travel to hometowns across this peninsula, where families gather to perform ancestral rites.
What is the Korean Peninsula (or South Korea)
The Lunar New Year follows a "Lunisolar" calendar, which means it tracks both the moon and this star.
the Sun
This Vietnamese New Year dish features pork belly and mung beans wrapped in banana or dong leaves.
Bánh Chưng (or Bánh Tét)
In Singaporean and Malaysian tradition, it is popular to gift these savory dried meat sheets, similar to jerky.
Bak Kwa
Families often stick images of "Door Gods" on their front gates to ward off evil spirits. These gods are usually depicted holding these weapons.
Spears (or Swords/Halberds)
In this country, the Lunar New Year is a major national holiday, and the "Kek Lok Si" temple in Penang is illuminated with thousands of lights.
What is Malaysia
This dynasty (206 BC–220 AD) is so influential that the majority ethnic group in China is named after it.
The Han Dynasty
In Singapore and Malaysia, diners stand up and toss this raw fish salad high into the air while shouting auspicious wishes.
Yusheng (or Yee Sang)
In Vietnam, the first person to enter your home after midnight determines the family's luck for the year; this custom is called
Xông Đất
The color red is worn during the New Year to scare off this mythical beast that comes out to eat people and livestock.
Nian
Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown, hosts massive Lunar New Year parades in this capital city.
What is Manila (Philippines)
In ancient times, the "Nian" monster was said to be afraid of three things: the color red, loud noises, and this element.
Fire (or Bright Light)
Known as "Tray of Togetherness" in many cultures, the Vietnamese version (Khay Mứt) specifically features these preserved items.
Candied Fruits (or Ginger/Coconut/Lotus Seeds)
While red is the dominant color elsewhere, in Korea, children often wear "Hanbok" featuring this multi-colored striped pattern on the sleeves.
Saekdong (or Rainbow stripes)