![]() Across these countries, some traditions are shared, while others are unique to each country’s cultural identity. It is celebrated in many countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. The Lunar New Year is traditionally a time for food, festivities, and family gatherings. In contexts outside of China, referring to Lunar New Year as Chinese New Year can come off as insensitive and offensive because it ignores other cultures, all of which have their own unique traditions, beliefs, and celebrations. While Lunar New Year is widely celebrated in Asia, Chinese New Year is specific to Chinese culture.Ĭhinese people are the largest population that celebrates Lunar New Year, meaning all the people who observe Chinese New Year celebrate Lunar New Year, but not vice versa. This language implies that other Asian countries also celebrate Chinese New Year, which is a major misconception.Ĭhinese New Year is actually only one festival under the umbrella term of Lunar New Year, which is a festival that occurs on the first day of a new year in the lunisolar calendar, a calendar that is based on the cycles of the moon’s phases and the sun’s position. In one CNN article, the site refers to Lunar New Year as “the most important holiday in the Chinese zodiac calendar” - which is true, but it fails to mention other cultures that celebrate Lunar New Year - while a separate article on CNBC appears to claim that Lunar New Year is a synonym for Chinese New Year and that the annual holiday is widely celebrated throughout Asia. I could forgive my friend for his unintentional microaggression, but it makes my blood boil when I see numerous articles via reputable publications seemingly use the terms Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year interchangeably. However, he’s hardly the first and only person who didn’t make the distinction. Offended and upset, I asked him point-blank: What makes you think Vietnamese people celebrate Chinese New Year?Īt first he was taken aback by my question, but puzzlement quickly turned to embarrassment when my friend realized his mistake - well-intentioned though it was - noting that it was the media that had erroneously given him the impression that Lunar New Year was the same as Chinese New Year. Instead of letting it slide, I chose to confront the misconception. It was clear by his greeting that my friend, who was well aware that I am not Chinese, was just one of many people who was ignorant of the difference between Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year - the holiday that I, as a Vietnamese person, celebrate. ![]() I paused, feeling a familiar rush of emotions I couldn’t describe overwhelm me along with a rush of anger. ![]() A few years ago, a good friend greeted me with "Happy Chinese New Year" as I was handing out invitations to a local Lunar New Year party in Maine.
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