A joyous time rolls around as Mr. Apple comes to town.

Mr. Apple does not bring iPhones — no, he brings good luck and good food.

A week before Lunar New Year, my family has a tradition where we honor the Kitchen God, Mr. Apple, or more accurately known as Ông Táo. For this day, we set out fruits and foods and thank him for keeping our kitchen safe, and allowing us to eat well.

My family is Vietnamese and because we cannot go back to Vietnam to celebrate, we practice our traditions and customs here in America. This holiday, called Tết in our language, is important to us because it marks a new year for more opportunities.

In Vietnam, this holiday is observed as a time to spend with family and friends. My parents reminisced about how they used to go to their neighbors’ houses and make treats or help clean.

My dad said, “Everyone did everything for each other, free of charge,” my father said. “One time, my neighbor was painting his house and I went over and helped because I could.” 

More than a billion people in the world observe Lunar New Year, which will take place on Friday, Feb. 12 this year. Many East Asian countries such as Vietnam, China, Thailand, Korea, and the Philippines will be celebrating. 

This day marks the start of a new year for these countries according to the Lunar Calendar. It begins with the new moon. 

The lunar year follows the moon’s monthly cycles, making a year of 354 days, less than the 365 of the western calendar. This causes Lunar New Year to float around the calendar instead of being on one specific day.

The Chinese Zodiac for the new year is the ox.

If you were born in 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, and 2021, you’re in luck. If this is your year, you’ll be blessed with luck and more chances for friendships and romance. 

Typically, people born in the year of the ox are said to be fair and reliable. They’re strong and confident and often inspire others.

Aside from receiving blessings for your year, a common tradition practiced by many other cultures is the handing out of red envelopes. The adults always give the children money in these little red envelopes, which serve as little blessings for good health and good grades.

With traditions there are also activities. At temples, you may see lion dances and firework shows during this time. “In Vietnamese culture, these shows are mostly for entertainment,” my mom said.  

Whereas in Chinese culture, these shows represent the chasing out of bad spirits and the bringing in of good luck and prosperity. The lions represent power, wisdom, and superiority. 

People eat noodles for the Lunar New Year because noodles are said to bring good fortune. Tangerines and oranges are eaten during the Lunar New Year as they represent wealth and good luck. 

“Being Chinese American, my family didn’t celebrate in the traditional way with relatives because we have no relative in the United States,” said Dr. Erica He, director of Highline’s Achieve Program. “However, we did have potlucks where different Chinese families and friends would bring food and we would all have dinner together.” 

So it all comes down to food and family. 

“I think people celebrate Lunar New Year by eating a good meal together,” Dr. He said. 

Reporter Jensen Chen contributed to this story.