by Emeric Harney January 02, 2019 2 min read 6 Comments
While we sweep the glitter and confetti off of the streets of New York and make (and break) our New Year’s resolutions, others around the world are preparing for the Lunar New Year, also known as the “Spring Festival”. According to the Chinese 12-year animal zodiac cycle, 2019 is the year of the Pig. A pig represents luck and overall good fortune. To celebrate the 2019 Lunar New Year we have made a limited edition Lunar New Year tea. The Lunar New Year is celebrated by many countries in Asia and each has their own unique customs. Read on to learn more about some of the origin stories and customs of this holiday and our delicious commemorative tea blend.
In modern China, the Lunar New Year is the most important traditional festival. It is so important, in fact, that it is celebrated for 7 days starting on the first day of the Chinese New Year and ending with the Lantern Festival. Each year is assigned an animal based on the Chinese Zodiac. There are 12 zodiac animals in total - the ox, horse, goat, rooster, pig, dog, rat, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, and monkey. The first six are the main domestic animals raised by Chinese people. The other six animals are all loved by the Chinese people. In one origin story, the animals were chosen based on the Yin and Yang Theory. Animals are arranged in an alternating order by the number of claws, toes or hooves they have - even or odd. In another origin story, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party.
Families have a variety of Lunar New Year traditions. In Korea, rice cake soup teokguk is always on the table for good luck. Once it is eaten it is said you become one year older. Small, intricately decorated red packets filled with lucky money are handed out on New Year’s Day by the elders to grandchildren and children with good wishes. But above all, the Lunar New Year is a big family reunion. Whether you are bowing to your elders or making sure they fill their plate first at dinner, it is important to pay respects to elders and ancestors.
Our little red packets may not be filled with money, but we think that the tea inside is pretty great too. Order your Year of the Pig tea before the Lunar New Year on February 5 to make sure it arrives before your family does.
Ready for 2019? Check out some of our favorite posts below to prepare for the new year:
December 08, 2021
I agree with the above comments. Lunar 2021 was a great tea. Please notify me if you are bringing it back to celebrate New Year 2022.
August 13, 2021
Your Lunar New Year 2021 blend was my first Harney & Sons tea and is my favorite but I didn’t realize I wouldn’t be able to buy more! Will there at least be another chance next Lunar New Year? I’ll know to stock up for the year!
April 15, 2021
I’ve been slowly trying to introduce my family to the world of loose leaf tea and exploring new flavors beyond what you can typically find in teabags at the grocery store. Of all the teas that my family and I have tried from this brand, Lunar New Year reigns supreme as our number one on our list of favorites. I would absolutely love to see this come back in stock as my family and I just can’t get enough of this flavor!
March 24, 2021
I have never liked tea. That is until I tried your Lunar New Year 2021 tea. I look on your website every day to see if I can order more. Please, please make more. I haven’t found anything similar that I would buy and try!
Warm Regards.
March 11, 2021
Can you please make some more “Luna New Year 2021
Tea”. My friends & family can’t stop drinking it. Please let me know when it becomes available so I can stock up on it !!
Comments will be approved before showing up.
by Emeric Harney May 25, 2023 5 min read
by Emeric Harney May 18, 2023 6 min read
by Emeric Harney May 12, 2023 6 min read
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more!
Rose
December 17, 2021
🎋2021 Lunar New Year blend was wonderful and soothing. Please bring it back, at least for a short time. I will keep an eye out for it. 2021 Year of the 🐂 Ox.