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· Bryan Ke
I Spent the Lunar New Year in the World’s Oldest Chinatown
The long celebration for the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, has begun — and there’s no better place to celebrate the new year than to spend it in the world’s oldest Chinatown: Binondo, Manila. Binondo, one of the districts located in the Philippine’s…
· Leanna Chan
8 Superstitions to Avoid for a Lucky Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is a time for loved ones, rich tradition, mouthwatering dishes, grand parades, and even more, ominous superstitions. Chinese are firm believers of superstitions and luck, especially during the new year. While we often hear sayings like “New Year, new you,” Chinese…
· Carl Samson
Chinese Mall Installs Giant Donald Trump Dog Statue to Celebrate Lunar New Year
A gigantic dog statue resembling U.S. President Donald Trump marked the beginning of celebrations of the Lunar New Year at a mall in northern China. The statue, installed at Fashion Walk Mall in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, observes the upcoming Year of the Dog, according to state…
· Ryan General
7 Lucky Dishes Found in Every Chinese Household During Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year is upon us and with it comes the anticipation of wealth, good luck, family gatherings and tables filled with good food. An integral part of the celebration of the 16-day festival are the special dishes, often called “lucky food,” which are all believed to…
· Carl Samson
Why There is Always a Lion Dance Every Lunar New Year
The time for giant lion costumes and their majestic dance routines has come once again for Lunar New Year. The lion dance, often confused with the dragon dance, is a mainstay of traditional Chinese festivities. Locals originally believed that lions only existed in myths, just…
· Khier Casino
The Most Popular Lunar New Year Song Has a Dark History
The most popular Lunar New Year song, “Gong Xi Gong Xi,” which literally means “congratulations, congratulations” or “Wishing You Prosperity and Happiness,” was not exactly meant for the holiday. Written by composer and Shanghai native Chen Gexin, who also went by the pseudonyms…
· Max Chang
Why Red Envelopes Stuffed With Cash Are Given Out on Lunar New Year
Red envelopes have been a staple of Lunar New Year for as long as anyone can remember. No matter whether you celebrate the holiday or not, you’ve probably wondered why your Asian friends receive red envelopes filled with cash every year. Heck, many recipients of red envelopes…
· Bryan Ke
Michelle Yeoh is Going to Be the Grand Marshal in SF’s Chinese New Year Parade
Southwest Airlines officially announced that Michelle Yeoh is going to make an appearance at the upcoming Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco on February 24. “We are honored to announce Michelle Yeoh as this year’s Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade Grand Marshal,”…
· Carl Samson
What Being Born in the ‘Year of the Dog’ Means
On February 16, the Chinese New Year commences with symbols of dogs appearing in every possible place for maximum luck. It’s the Year of the Earth Dog after all, and just like other animals in the Chinese zodiac, celebrations — which often take place sooner — are treated with…
· Carl Samson
How the Japanese Celebrate Oshogatsu, Their Version of New Year
As the calendar turns to 2018, the Japanese will be celebrating Oshogatsu, a unique tradition marking the beginning of a new year. Oshogatsu, also called shōgatsu, is initially based on the Chinese lunar calendar. But in 1873, five years after the Meiji restoration, Japan…
· Carl Samson
China Will Start Growing Potatoes on the Moon Next Year
Scientists in China will attempt to create a “mini ecosystem” consisting of insects and potatoes in the moon next year. The project, discussed at the recent Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2017) in Beijing, is one of several missions that make up the country’s lunar…
· Khier Casino
China Flexes Military Muscle for Chinese New Year
A short video from the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force released on state TV during the Lunar New Year in China on January 30 featured images of six DF-15 ballistic missiles. In the CCTV 7 footage, PLA soldiers at the Rocket Force issued New Year greetings to the public,…
· Carl Samson
Malaysia Makes Chinese Rapper Regret ‘Threatening Peace’ in Music Video
Malaysian authorities detained a famous ethnic Chinese rapper on Thursday after hearing complaints that his new music video insulted Islam and threatened peace. Wee Meng Chee, more commonly known as Namewee, released a new song titled “Like a Dog” in time for the Lunar New Year.
· Bryan Ke
China’s Epic Traffic Jams After Spring Festival Holiday are a Mind-Blowing Nightmare
The week-long Spring Festival holiday in China, which began on Lunar New Year, has ended with a rather hellish traffic jam in Hainan Province’s capital, Haikou. Surprisingly enough, the city experienced a pretty terrible foggy weather, which heavily contributed to the massive…
· Ryan General
Chinese Parents Get Sued Up to $88,000 For Keeping Hongbao Money from Their Children
A Chinese court recently published its rulings on multiple cases involving the children and their parents regarding the cash gifts in red envelopes given during the Lunar New Year holiday. The rulings, published by a court in Jinan, Shandong Province on Sunday, sparked a debate…
· Bryan Ke
The Best Po Pos, Ye Yes, Nai Nais, and Gong Gongs of Instagram
Ever wonder what Asian seniors street fashion is like for those living in various Chinatowns across the United States? Well, wonder no more. Friends and bloggers Valerie Luu and Andria Lo, who are both second-generation Asian-Americans, document the fashion style of seniors in…
· Ryan General
Starving Lion Forced to Chew Off Own Tail After It Got Stuck in Frozen Water
A lion inside the Taiyuan Zoo in Shanxi Province, China, caught the attention of visiting tourists due to its severed tail. Concerned visitors, who noticed the lion’s condition during the Lunar New Year holidays, demanded an explanation from the zoo’s management. According to a…
· Editorial Staff
J.J. Redick Filmed on Video Calling Chinese NBA Fans ‘Chinks’
Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard J.J. Redick is under fire after calling his Chinese fans “chinks” in a video that has gone viral. The video was produced by Chinese media company Tencent to wish China a Happy Lunar New Year.
· Carl Samson
Shark Fin Soup is Now Illegal in Nevada
Shark fin soup, a popular Chinese delicacy, is now illegal in Nevada after the passing of a new law that prohibits the sale of shark fins, among parts and products of certain animal species. Senate Bill No. 194, effective on January 1, forbids the trade of body parts and…
· Carl Samson
Why Koreans Have Two Different Ages
Unless you’re Korean, it’s unlikely you’re celebrating two birthdays in a year. The idea is simple, but it’s something I struggled to fathom as a seventh-grader in a Korean-administered high school. At the time, a friend named Ahn tried his best to explain how it works, but I…