People in many Asian countries, especially China and other Lunar New Year communities, believe that red has a long-standing good meaning.
According to the famous Chinese legend associated with the mythical creature Nian - a beast that appeared at New Year's Eve to cause disaster to villages, people discovered that Nian was afraid of red, loud explosions and bright light.
From there, they hang red paper, set off firecrackers and wear red shirts to ward off bad things, creating a foundation for the red customs during Tet later.
In Chinese culture, red represents vitality, luck, happiness and success. This color is associated with the "fire" element in the five elements, a symbol of energy, warmth and transformation - in line with the new starting spirit of the new year.
In Vietnam, during the Lunar New Year, red also holds a central position in decoration and rituals. Red lucky money envelopes given to children and relatives are a way for adults to send good wishes, hoping for a lucky year, stable and peaceful income. This custom reflects the belief that red not only brings fortune but also dispels unfavorable things.
Firecrackers and fireworks - with red as the main color - also play an important symbolic role in Tet. In many places, the sound of firecrackers and red light not only diffuse the festive atmosphere but also preserve the tradition of driving away evil spirits, bringing safety and prosperity to families and communities.
In addition to its spiritual meaning, red also has a strong psychological attraction. Cultural studies show that red stimulates feelings of enthusiasm and optimism - something that many people want to explore when entering a new cycle. This is also the reason why red prevails in costumes, decorations and traditional items during Tet.
While red dominates activities in China and Vietnam, neighboring cultures such as South Korea also use red, although not overwhelmingly. For example, in South Korea's Seollal festival, traditional hanbok costumes often include red and blue to represent balance and vitality, combined with ancestral rites.
The popularity of red during Tet is not only a beautiful decoration but also a symbol of hope and common belief in many Asian cultures.
From warm lucky money envelopes to sparkling red light strings on the streets, this color tone connects the past with the present, transmitting from generation to generation wishes for a new year of peace, prosperity and full of luck.
