2/7/2024
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Posted by Su Chang, Director, Retention at Fidelis Care
Many Asian cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year. The holiday is based on the lunisolar calendar and its date varies each year. Lunar New Year begins this year on February 10, marking the onset of the year of the dragon.
Traditions, customs, and duration vary for Lunar New Year celebrations depending on the country. It is celebrated in East and Southeast Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The holiday is known as Chun Jie (Spring Festival) in China, Seollal in Korea, and Tet Nguyen Dan in Vietnam.
Growing up as a Chinese American, my family always celebrated Lunar New Year. My parents emphasized the value of New Year traditions to pass along to the next generation.
Prior to the New Year, traditions include cutting one’s hair, cleaning, and settling any debts. This is done to eliminate any bad luck before the beginning of a New Year, and to allow for the first day of New Year to start with good luck and prosperity.
On New Year’s Eve (chu xi or 除夕), many families gather for a reunion dinner at which loved ones can unite and welcome the New Year together. On New Year’s Day, it is customary to wear new, red clothes because red symbolizes good luck.
During New Year’s visits (bainian or 拜年), relatives and friends typically wish each other good luck and good health. A notable tradition during these visits is giving and receiving red envelopes (hong bao). When I was a child, I would wake up on the first day of the New Year to find a red envelope under my pillow, which symbolizes good luck, good fortune, and good sleep.
Food is also an important part of New Year celebrations. Many of the foods served symbolize prosperity, good luck, and wealth. Some examples include:
- Fish symbolizes an increase in prosperity and surplus. The word “surplus” (余, yú) is a homophone of “fish” (鱼, yú). A saying associated with this dish is (年年有余, Niánnián yǒu yú), which can be translated in English to “may you always have more every year.”
- Whole chicken symbolizes “unity” and “a good beginning and end” to the year.
- Glutinous rice cakes (niangao, 年糕) symbolize growth. When translated literally to English, this means “higher by the year.”
- Sweet rice balls (汤圆, Tāngyuán) symbolize family and reunion.
- Oranges and tangerines symbolize good luck and wealth.
- Fried sesame balls (Jiandui) symbolize reunion and good luck.
Flowers also have symbolic meaning. Three popular flowers during Lunar New Year are:
- Pussy willows, symbolizing the coming of prosperity.
- Gladiolus flowers, symbolizing the rise in career and self-development.
- Peach blossoms, symbolizing romance, prosperity, and growth.
These Lunar New Year traditions and customs are an important part of my cultural identity as a Chinese American. I am thankful for the many opportunities provided by Fidelis Care and Centene to celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion.
I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous Lunar New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Su Chang is a Director, Retention at Fidelis Care. She is a dedicated healthcare professional with 20 years of work experience. She started her career at Fidelis Care in Member Services prior to joining the Retention Department. In her current role, Su’s responsibilities include defining, driving, and executing member retention strategies, and overseeing the Retention operation teams. She is an active member of Fidelis Care’s DEI Council. A first-generation Chinese American, Su graduated from University at Albany with a bachelor’s degree. She is passionate about women’s health, the aging population, mental health, and eliminating healthcare disparities.