On the Chinese internet, videos and posts condemning the use of the term “Lunar New Year” instead of “Chinese New Year” accumulated hundreds of millions of views. On Bilibili, the Chinese alternative to YouTube, the top video under the search “Lunar New Year” is titled “Why must South Koreans celebrate Chinese New Year? Is it 50 million Koreans’ ambition [to steal it]? ”

Although the hostility between South Koreans and Chinese people might be unknown to many Westerners, over the past three decades, there has been continuous internet and diplomatic warfare over the possession of cultural heritages such as historical figures, Hanbok (한복), a traditional clothing of Korean people ,and many traditional holidays, including the Chinese/Lunar New Year. Netizens of both countries accused each other of “stealing culture.”

In the United States, “definitely Chinese New Year was more [commonly referred to by people],” as New York native Avi Kinon ‘29 recalls. However, in recent years, more and more institution officials and the general population started using Lunar New Year instead.

Before determining which term is more appropriate to use, it is essential to understand the history of the Chinese/Lunar New Year. 

Lunar New Year commonly refers to the long festival celebrated by many Asian countries, including China, North Korea, South Korea, Vietnam, and diaspora communities of those countries across the world. It is celebrated at the beginning of a new year on the Chinese calendar, a lunisolar calendar established by the Shang dynasty of China in 14th century B.C.E. 

Over a period of two thousand years, the Korean peninsula and Vietnam slowly adopted the Chinese calendar through trade, immigration, Chinese conquest and rule.

While Chinese culture has influenced these other countries in the past, nowadays, China’s current negative political image now overshadows the country’s rich history and culture. According to Pew Research Center, when Americans talk about China, they mention the policies of the Chinese government instead of any part of the country’s five thousand years of history and diverse culture. 

In addition, countries such as Japan and Korea that have “borrowed” major Chinese advancements and culture in the past, are more globally influential than China. Positive impressions come to mind when South Korea is mentioned; Kinon listed the Korean pop culture and sophisticated technology. Therefore, calling the holiday Chinese New Year is an attempt to regain the cultural appreciation they deserve. 

The holiday also does not actually fall on the new year of a pure lunar calendar, but rather the Chinese lunisolar calendar, which is based on the phases of the moon but adjusted according to positions of the sun and climate. The Islamic calendar, on the other hand, is a pure lunar calendar with no adjustments to keep the years at an even length. The “Lunar New Year” on the Islamic calendar falls on June 16, instead of the Chinese/Lunar New Year on Feb. 17. 

Thus, it would be an inaccurate translation to call it Lunar New Year. A post on Chinese social media argues that if “English” and “Spanish” languages can be named based on their origin despite people all over the world speaking them,  the New Year based on the Chinese calendar, should also continue to be called “Chinese New Year.” 

However, after adopting the Chinese calendar, Koreans and Vietnamese developed distinct traditions to celebrate the Chinese/Lunar New Year. 

In Korea, Lunar New Year is called Seollal (설날). International student Jiwoo Won ‘28 from Seoul, South Korea said, “We bow to our elders and get our money, [the bow] is called Sebae (세배).” 

Unlike Chinese tradition, the money is not given in a red envelope (红包), but in a paper bag. Won continues, “We wear Hambok, and we don’t really associate Lunar New Year with red.” 

In China, Chinese/Lunar New Year are associated with red which represents joy and good fortune. People majorly wear ordinary red clothes instead of traditional clothes.  

Man Dang ‘26 comes from Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam, where Lunar New Year is called Tết. He said, “We eat traditional foods, like a square sticky rice cake called Bánh Chưng. And we also have many different customs. For example, there’s a custom when the first people who come inside the house, in the new year, they will bring good luck to the whole house.” 

In China, the most prominent New Year foods are dumplings (饺子) in the North and Tangyuan (汤圆) in the South. 

Vietnamese and Korean people have possessed their own national and cultural identities for thousands of years. Thus, it is understandable that they do not want to celebrate under the label of “Chinese.” 

Dang said, “I think when the foreign people (Americans) only say the celebration and the holiday as Chinese New Year, they are neglecting the other countries that also celebrate the holiday.”  He continued, “I think calling Lunar New Year is better because it’s more general, and we’re not Chinese.” 

In response to the tension between Koreans and Chinese, Won said, “Because three countries (China, Korea and Japan) have been influencing each other for so many years. I think it’s just natural because we’re so close to each other.”

Debates and discourse will always be present because of the intimate nature between Korea and China. Nevertheless, it is important to communicate cross-culture instead of falling into the trap of extreme nationalism. 

I believe people should use Lunar New Year to encompass the diversity of different celebrations, but simultaneously emphasize the significance and impact of its Chinese origin.