This Chinese New Year, which starts Friday, opens the Year of the Ox.
The holiday is part of the Lunar New Year, marking a new annual start for many Asian cultures. But the celebration, which traditionally brings families together in large groups, looks different this year to some.
Amid restrictions on the coronavirus pandemic, the main cities since Hong Kong from Melbourne to New York they canceled parades, festivals and fireworks displays that normally attract large crowds. Thus, people around the world are sharing on social media their own ways of celebrating the holiday, which is known as Seollal in Korea, Tet in Vietnamese, Losar in Tibetan and Tsagaan Sar in Mongol.
From dressing pets in costumes typically seen in traditional lion dance parades to intimate family dinners, many people have found ways to change traditions and incorporate social detachment while continuing to celebrate despite the pandemic.
In some of the posts, individuals are seen without masks or sitting nearby, as some Asian countries are seeing infection rates that are low enough to relax or remove some preventive measures.
In any case, gifts and good deeds remain an important part of the holiday.
Schools, monuments, hospitals and even the famous San Francisco carts were decorated to celebrate.
Instead of street parades, some dogs continued the lion dance tradition.
Family portraits often fit into smaller frames this year, as extended family reunion dinners have been replaced by more intimate meals due to social detachment.
But food was still in the spotlight.
Even though it wasn’t always the meal they expected …
People shared on social media how they celebrated Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.
Korean social media users posted pictures of food and gifts for this year’s celebrations.
Suzanne Ciechalski and Caroline Radnofsky contributed.