With spring flowers, traditional foods, and an air of anticipation for what’s to come, today’s Doodle welcomes the Year of the Tiger on the first day of the Lunar New Year, known colloquially as Tết in Vietnam. The tiger is a symbol of strength and bravery. Although observed well over a month before the vernal equinox, Tết is considered the first day of Vietnam’s spring—a time marked by new beginnings.
This fresh start coincides with several traditions intended to ensure good fortune for the upcoming year—old disagreements are squashed; homes are cleaned from top to bottom; and decorations of red and yellow (the day’s luckiest colors) adorn everything from temples to city streets. Traditional foods of all shapes and sizes are prepared to welcome the new year. Bánh tét, a cylindrical sticky rice cake, is ubiquitous in the southern regions of Vietnam, while its square counterpart, Bánh chưng, is especially common in the north. Fruits like bananas, oranges, coconuts, kumquats, and apples can make up the five fruits tray called Mâm ngũ quả. This tray represents five blessings (wealth, luxury, long life, health, safety) and five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth)—all considered to be good fortune.
While all these traditions are essential to Tết celebrations, the first person to enter a house once the clock strikes midnight on the new year is central to the holiday’s most important traditions as this guest is believed to bring the year’s luck with them.
With spring flowers, traditional foods, and an air of anticipation for what’s to come, today’s Doodle welcomes the Year of the Tiger on the first day of the Lunar New Year, known colloquially as Tết in Vietnam. The tiger is a symbol of strength and bravery. Although observed well over a month before the vernal equinox, Tết is considered the first day of Vietnam’s spring—a time marked by new beginnings.
ReplyDeleteThis fresh start coincides with several traditions intended to ensure good fortune for the upcoming year—old disagreements are squashed; homes are cleaned from top to bottom; and decorations of red and yellow (the day’s luckiest colors) adorn everything from temples to city streets. Traditional foods of all shapes and sizes are prepared to welcome the new year. Bánh tét, a cylindrical sticky rice cake, is ubiquitous in the southern regions of Vietnam, while its square counterpart, Bánh chưng, is especially common in the north. Fruits like bananas, oranges, coconuts, kumquats, and apples can make up the five fruits tray called Mâm ngũ quả. This tray represents five blessings (wealth, luxury, long life, health, safety) and five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth)—all considered to be good fortune.
While all these traditions are essential to Tết celebrations, the first person to enter a house once the clock strikes midnight on the new year is central to the holiday’s most important traditions as this guest is believed to bring the year’s luck with them.
Happy Lunar New Year!