From mandu to mah-jong: How we celebrate Lunar New Year
UBC alumni share the traditions, rituals, and memories that make this holiday a special time.
Did you know that Lunar New Year is celebrated by an estimated two billion people worldwide? That means that roughly one in four people will be ringing in the Year of the Snake come January 29!
For many members of UBC’s Asian community, this holiday is of particular importance, so we decided to ask alumni to share with us their favourite ways of celebrating Lunar New Year and what makes this time special for them. Read on for some heartwarming reflections on the meaning and significance of Lunar New Year from several UBC grads with diverse backgrounds and traditions.
Seollal connects me to my Korean heritage
Rob Kim, BSc’98, BEd’00, MET’08
Lunar New Year, or Seollal (설날), is a celebration of family.
As a Korean-Canadian who grew up in Vancouver, this holiday was one of the main traditions that connected me to my heritage.
I remember eating my mom's homemade tteokguk (rice cake soup) and mandu (Korean dumplings). This was also the only time of the year when my dad would break out yunnori, a traditional board game that involves throwing four blocky sticks — the combination of sides facing up would move your piece so many spaces.
The most important tradition was sebae. This practice involved bowing to our parents, putting our head and hands to the ground, and saying, “Saehae bok mani badeuseyo.” (“Have lots of luck in the new year.”) Sometimes we would wear a hanbok (traditional Korean outfit) — which was my least favourite part of the holiday. But we would always receive an envelope of money (sebaetdon) after bowing — my favourite part.
Sebae is still something my wife and I continue to do with our children every year — a link to our past as we celebrate the future.
Why I cherish my Lunar New Year memories
Phyllis Gao, BCom’20
I currently live in Vancouver, but grew up in Shijiazhuang, China. During my childhood and teenage years in my hometown, the New Year, or Spring Festival, was undoubtedly the most celebrated holiday in my community.
For kids, it fell during the winter break, and we were free from homework during the festivities. I vividly remember staying up all night playing video games with my cousins, without our parents scolding us, and heading outside at midnight to set off all kinds of fireworks to welcome the New Year.
Even though temperatures could drop to -10 C, those moments felt incredibly warm and cozy — some of the happiest memories of the year.
Since moving to Canada alone for my studies, I haven’t celebrated the New Year with my family in more than 10 years — similar to missing Christmas with loved ones for a decade. If given the chance to do so again, I would cherish every single moment spent with them, from decorating the house to setting off fireworks together.
How my Taiwanese-Thai family rings in the New Year
Sony Tsai, BFA’18
My family and I live in Bangkok, Thailand, and we make the most of this special time by enjoying amazing food. It’s one of the occasions when my mother goes all out, showcasing her incredible culinary skills. We also love to gather around for a game of mah-jong at home, inviting close friends and family to join in the fun.
On Lunar New Year’s Eve, staying up past midnight is a must — a tradition my parents instilled in me from a young age. It’s a way of inviting energy, good fortune, and longevity into the New Year. (In fact, some believe that the longer children can stay awake on New Year’s Eve, the longer their parents will live!)
In Thailand as a whole, Lunar New Year is widely celebrated, thanks to the large population of Thai people with ancestral ties to China. Much like in Chinese culture, you can expect to see vibrant lion dances, firecrackers, the giving of red envelopes, and merry-making ceremonies.
One unique aspect of Thailand’s Lunar New Year celebrations is the involvement of the Thai royal family. They often mark the occasion by visiting Bangkok’s Chinatown (Yaowarat), participating in the festivities, and engaging with the public in their own meaningful way.
Another distinct tradition among some Thai families is visiting their ancestors’ graves — both to give the sites a deep clean and to pay their respects.
Above all, Lunar New Year in Thailand is about families coming together to spend time with each other, enjoy great food, and engage in a vibrant mix of traditions. Quality time with family is my favourite part of the holiday — something I think many people can relate to.
(For anyone looking to learn more about how Lunar New Year is celebrated in Thailand, I’ve shared some stories and traditions on my podcast, Buddy Time, in the episode titled “Year of the Dragon.”)
The high-stakes world of Lunar New Year dumplings
Terrilynn Wong, BA’23
My father's family is from Shandong Province in China and a unique tradition he has incorporated into our family's Lunar New Year celebrations is making egg dumplings — which mimic the appearance of a traditional Chinese ingot, or yuanbao — and hiding a dime in the meat filling. Whoever eats the dumpling with the dime is supposed to be blessed with good luck for the year.
Growing up, my older sister would always be the first one to bite into the dumpling with the dime — and I would be the first to cry. So one year, when I was around 10 years old, my father added a dime to five dumplings in order to even the playing field. I ate my fill of 10 dumplings that day, but sadly none of them contained a dime!
Notwithstanding my terrible luck with spotting auspicious dumplings, gathering together with my family for a special dinner remains my favourite way to celebrate Lunar New Year. Although my family does eat together still every night, there is always something so exciting about having a big feast for Lunar New Year. Not only is it an opportunity to enjoy food that I don’t get to eat on a regular basis, but it also reflects my family's bond and how we are together as we welcome in a new year.
