Firing up the Lunar New Year Spirit • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Lunar New Year/Spring Festival: The 15-day celebration marking the new year based on the lunisolar calendar, celebrated across many Asian countries.
• Zodiac & Elements: The 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar combined with a five-element system, currently the Year of the Fire Horse.
• Nian (年): A mythical monster in Chinese folklore believed to attack villagers at the end of winter, driving traditions of noise and red color usage.
• Chinatowns in France: Specifically, the history and locations of Chinatowns in Paris (Belleville, 3rd Arrondissement, 13th Arrondissement, Montreuil, Pontault-Combault, Aubervilliers).
• Cultural Traditions: Red envelopes, home cleaning, avoiding haircuts, religious services, specific foods with symbolic meanings (fish, pudding, dumplings, prosperity toss).

The Lunar New Year: Traditions and Celebrations in France

Introduction to the Lunar New Year & Nomenclature

The segment begins by clarifying the common misnomer of “Chinese New Year.” While often referred to as lun shininoa (Chinese New Year) in France, the celebration is pan-Asian, and “Lunar New Year” is a more accurate English term. In China, the 15-day period is officially called the Spring Festival (Chunjie 春节) since its re-establishment as a national holiday in 1949. The festival is also known as Tet in Vietnam and Salal in Korea, all marking the beginning of the lunisolar calendar, originating in ancient China. The timing of the Lunar New Year varies annually, falling between January 21st and February 20th, determined by the new moon. This year’s festival commenced on February 17th.

The Zodiac and Elemental Cycle

The Lunar New Year is governed by a 12-year zodiac calendar, coupled with a five-element cycle. Currently, we have entered the Year of the Fire Horse, a combination that hasn’t occurred since 1966. This year is said to symbolize action, speed, and energy.

Folklore and Symbolic Colors: Red and Gold

The segment delves into the folklore surrounding the festival, focusing on the legend of Nian (年), a monster in Mandarin meaning “year,” who terrorized villagers at the end of winter. Villagers were advised to create noise (leading to the tradition of fireworks) and wear red, as the monster disliked the color. Red banners were also displayed to wish good fortune. The color gold represents prosperity and is associated with traditions like giving red envelopes filled with cash, particularly to young people, to bring riches and ward off evil spirits. Other traditions include cleaning homes before the new year (not during its first days) and refraining from haircuts during the initial days, alongside attending religious services. A Vietnamese Tet celebration is highlighted, showcasing offerings of fruit representing life, earth, water, fire, and wood.

Lunar New Year Celebrations in France

The Lunar New Year is widely celebrated in France, mirroring the visibility of Ramadan. Supermarkets and specialty stores like Tang Frera and Chen Market stock relevant products. However, the most vibrant celebrations are concentrated in areas with large Asian immigrant communities. Paris boasts multiple Chinatowns:

• Belleville: Primarily populated by economic immigrants from the Wenzhou region of China.
• 3rd Arrondissement: The oldest Chinatown, established by World War I workers.
• Montreuil, Pontault-Combault, Aubervilliers: Newer Chinatowns, with Aubervilliers being a major import/export hub for Chinese-made clothing.
• 13th Arrondissement: Considered the largest Chinatown in Europe, though initially populated by refugees from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam (including “boat people”) who moved into newly constructed housing in the 1970s. This Chinatown is distinguished by its modern high-rise buildings rather than traditional architectural features.

Despite demographic shifts, the 13th Arrondissement remains a central gathering place for festivities. The French Chinese community is estimated to be between 600,000 and 700,000 people.

Culinary and Social Traditions

The Lunar New Year is characterized by gatherings and feasting. Specific foods carry symbolic meaning: whole fish for good luck, pudding for advancement, and dumplings shaped like gold bars for wealth. A particularly noteworthy tradition, originating from Singapore and Malaysia, is the “prosperity toss” (Yu Sheng), where revelers use chopsticks to toss chopped food while wishing each other a happy new year.

Conclusion

The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is a significant cultural event celebrated widely across Asia and increasingly recognized in France. Rooted in ancient folklore and traditions, the festival emphasizes themes of renewal, prosperity, and community, manifested through vibrant celebrations, symbolic colors, and meaningful culinary practices. It’s a time for gathering, feasting, and wishing for good fortune in the year ahead, comparable in importance to Christmas in many Western cultures.