The Many Faces and Flavors of Chinese New Year

During the Lunar New Year, Chinese communities across the globe both grow quiet as businesses close for family time, and erupt in colorful street celebrations. The holiday signals spring's arrival and is filled with customs that ensure auspicious beginnings.

Many such customs are universal, duplicating classic observances from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Adults settle debts, don new clothes and give children lucky money. After a thorough housecleaning, brooms are hidden lest they sweep away the family's fortune.

Each country also adds its own unique rituals. The Vietnamese spend the weeks leading up to the holiday, known locally as Tet, shopping, cooking and decorating with fresh flowers and peach blossoms. On the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, red carp are released into ponds so they can ferry the family's kitchen gods to the Heavenly Emperor for their annual report. Feasts shared with loved ones include must-haves like glutinous rice cakes, pickled onions and candied fruit. The third day of the new year is for visiting one's teachers, after making social calls at the husband's and wife's families in the previous days.

Singaporeans take advantage of their island geography with the River Hongbao Festival and reunion dinners on steamboats. The Chingay Parade, increasingly dubbed "the Mardi Gras of the East," showcases Singapore's multiculturalism as traditional lion dancers delight the crowds alongside samba musicians and other international performers.

繞著地球跑：熱鬧歡慶農曆年

農曆新年期間，全球各地的華人社區因店家關門和家人相聚而安靜下來，街上則突然辦起多采多姿的慶祝活動。這個節日代表春天的來臨，充滿新春好兆頭的習俗。
許多這樣的習俗普世皆準，複製了來自中國、香港和台灣的經典慶祝活動。大人清償債務、穿上新衣，並給小孩紅包。徹底大掃除後，掃把會被藏起來，免得把家裡的好運都掃掉了。
每個國家也加入各自的獨特儀式。越南人花好幾星期來準備在當地名為越南元旦節的這個節日，大家購物、烹煮美食，並以鮮花和桃花來裝飾。農曆 12 月 23 日時，紅鯉魚會被放到池塘裡，這樣牠們才能接送每個家庭的灶神到玉皇大帝面前進行年度彙報。與親人共享的盛宴一定要有糯米糕、醃洋蔥和蜜餞。新年的頭兩天完成丈夫與妻子兩邊的家族例行拜訪後，在第三天則是拜會自己的老師。
新加坡人利用島嶼地形舉辦「春到河畔迎新年」的活動並在輪船上享用年夜飯。越來越多人稱為「東方狂歡節」的妝藝大遊行則展示了新加坡的多元文化，傳統的舞獅與森巴音樂家及其他國際表演者帶給群眾無比的歡樂。