At midnight on January 1, I will bake my 21st Banh Chung cake to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This event is a weeklong celebration that happens when the moon finishes its rotation around the earth. This event is an opportunity for people to gather around their family. It doesn’t matter where they are, family members will always come home during this time. Sons and daughters will visit their parents, and together they will go to their grandparents’ home. Family members will make Banh Chung – the most commonly consumed food during the Lunar New Year. Banh Chung is a traditional Chinese dish that consists of sticky rice, pork, and mung beans, which look similar to peas.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year celebration, there is a Dragon Dance and Fireworks. Asian people believe that the dragon represents luck and wealth, so they always invite a dance group to their house during the first day of the new year to chase away the unlucky things which remain from the past year. Fireworks chase away bad luck and bring wealth to the family during the new year.

Also, during this celebration young children receive their “lucky money.” This is money that family members put in a red envelope and give to the children.  Red is the theme during the holiday as it represents happiness, warmth, and luck. There are also various traditional activities like calligraphy for families to take part in. Depending on the writer, each calligraphy letter will carry a different meaning. Some of the common ones are: luck and health.