Welcome the Year of the Dragon

According to the Gregorian calendar, it is a new moon year on 10th February 2024, according to the Chinese Zodiac, the year of the dragon. Every Zodiac sign is split into the 5 elements: wood, earth, fire, metal and water. This year is the year of the wooden dragon. Dragon is the most lucky sign and the most powerful one within the Zodiac. The combination with the element wood will bring evolution, improvements and abundance. It is therefore the perfect year for new beginnings and setting base for long-term success.

Already when we were in Singapore, Chinatown has been dressed in festive decorations and the new year market was set up. We‘ve been to Garden by the Bay to watch the drone show but it was postponed. For this, we were only able to watch the „Flying Dragon“ drone show online.

Singapore New Year decorations

3 days before Lunar New Year, we arrived in Taipei. It is the first time I experience how it is to be celebrated according to the Chinese tradition. I have already told you that it‘s a whole week public holiday in Taiwan and all business activities came to a standstill. In Hong Kong, it is different. Most of the Hong Kongers are too pragmatic to stop earning money in this time.

Totally empty streets in Zhongshan

The traditional festivities start on new year’s eve. It is all above being together with families and friends. All family members including distant relatives are invited so that they would meet at least once a year.

On new year‘s eve the reunion dinner take place, married couples celebrate with his familiy on this day. After dinner, all sit down for tea and sweets. This is also the time where the little ones receive their red envelopes (Hongbao). We were invited to our in-law‘s home for reunion dinner and also on new year‘s day to a restaurant.

On new year‘s day, the family on the husband side visit friends and temples, to pray to different gods for the best to come in the year. 2. new year‘s day is the day to celebrate with the wife‘s family. After all the hustle and bustle, the 3. day is for sleeping and rest. On the 4. day, the gods return and everyone go to the temple to welcome them back. On the 5. day, everyone return to work.

Taipei New Year decorations

When it come to food, everybody take special attention to only eat food that bring good fortune. Here are some examples:

A whole fish means abundance, mandarins and kumquats bring good fortune, dumplings mean properity, noodles mean longevity.

On the first full moon of the new year which is the 15th of each month according to the moon calendar, Taipei celebrates the lantern festival. Unfortunately, we have already left. So we have to watch a video for the release of the lanterns, too.