Lunar New Year celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan

 


I was lucky to be in Taipei, Taiwan, at around the start of the Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) and witness a bit of the celebrations. 

In the streets, shop owners set off long strings of firecrackers, filling the air with loud bursts of noise and red paper fragments. This is done to attract Lion Dancers, who arrive in elaborate, colorful costumes accompanied by rhythmic drumming. After the performance, the shop owner hands the dancers a red envelope, traditionally containing money, as a token of good fortune for the coming year. 














Temples are crowded with people making offerings in front of deities and also at big tables set up for the purpose. These offerings symbolize blessings, renewal, and good fortune. While some temples may later distribute them to those in need, their primary purpose is as a spiritual offering rather than direct charity. 






Another practice at the temples involves burning joss paper, also known as spirit money or ghost money, in large brick ovens with tall chimneys. These paper offerings resemble currency or sometimes take the form of paper representations of luxury goods, such as houses, clothing, or even cars. The burning of these items is believed to send them to deceased ancestors or spirits in the afterlife, ensuring they have wealth and comfort in the next world. 



A similar ritual takes place in front of shops, where shopkeepers make offerings and burn joss paper. This is done to honor ancestors, seek blessings from deities, and attract prosperity for the business in the coming year. The burning is believed to send offerings to the spirit world while also clearing away bad luck and negative energy from the past year, making way for good fortune and success. 






Interestingly, in Vietnam they have similar traditions, but the burning is typically done before the new year on the 23rd day of the last lunar month, while in Taiwan it is more commonly performed after the new year has begun. The difference mainly comes from whether the focus is on cleansing the past (Vietnam, before New Year) or inviting future prosperity (Taiwan, after New Year). See photos of the Vietnamese celebrations in Hoi An and Da Nang. 

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