Celebrate Lunar New Year in Pok Pok!
Whether you’re just learning about this holiday or continuing cherished traditions, we hope these toys inspire you to reflect on the Year of the Snake!
Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year by some, is a lively celebration packed with meaning and ritual to welcome the start of the lunar calendar. This holiday is a time for renewal and paying tribute to ancestors by bringing family and friends together to honor a wide variety of traditions. Popular customs include giving red envelopes containing money, which represent blessings and good fortune for the year ahead. Festivities also feature vibrant dragon and lion dances, paired with fireworks to drive away evil spirits and invite prosperity.
Many people who celebrate Lunar New Year believe that actions taken on this day can shape the year ahead! This can range from calling up old friends and clearing debts to more spiritual practices. For example, families may create altars of offerings for ancestors, or prepare symbolic decorations and foods.
There are also practices which some would consider more superstitious such as avoiding washing your hair or sweeping the floor on Lunar New Year. This comes from the belief that washing your hair or cleaning the floor could also wash away your good fortune for the coming year. However, it is also believed that throwing away trash or cleaning up before midnight can clear out any bad luck collected from the past year! There are so many customs and rituals unique to every family and culture that celebrates Lunar New Year.
What does the snake symbolize?
Despite mixed opinions about the animal, the snake holds many positive qualities that we can harness for the new year. It’s even thought to be the most tenacious creature of the 12 zodiac animals! With this year’s element being “wood”, it could even be said that this combination softens and balances the intensity of the snake.
The Year of the Snake in particular is a time that represents wisdom, intuition, and transformation. In Chinese culture, the snake is seen as a symbol of mystery and intelligence. People born in the Year of the Snake may be characterized as thoughtful, resourceful, and determined. This zodiac year encourages careful planning and making smart choices, as snakes are known for their patience and ability to strike at the right moment. It’s also a time to focus on self-growth and change, as snakes shed their skin to start fresh. Celebrating the Year of the Snake reminds us to embrace our inner strength, stay calm in challenges, and trust our instincts to guide us!
Celebrate in Busy Book & Radio
Busy Book’s handmade animations and sounds of this holiday depict loved ones coming together over a Lunar New Year meal. You can see a dragon and lion dance, set off a firework, and more! Last Lunar New Year, we added two brand-new songs to Radio thanks to the work of guest composer and producer, Heidi Chan. You can check out a quick, 1-minute interview with her here on Instagram. One of these tracks takes on a more traditional approach with flutes dancing over drums, coalescing into a lively, triumphant tune. The second is more of a nostalgic, pop number that weaves elements of the traditional into a soft, calming ballad. We hope you can feel the love and spirit of Lunar New Year in Heidi’s compositions!
Being a Mirror & Window for Kids
When we first introduced the Lunar New Year content 3 years ago, we were so excited to hear such a positive response from parents who were overjoyed that their children could not only see themselves in Pok Pok, but that they could also use this section of the Busy Book to spark conversations around their culture and traditions.
Pok Pok Creative Director Esther Huybreghts often talks about how we aim to create both windows and mirrors with our toys. Windows give kids an opportunity to look out at the world and learn something new, seeing all of the diversity the world has to offer. Mirrors give kids a chance to see themselves in Pok Pok, validating and connecting with something they feel is core to their identities.
Our wish for every toy in Pok Pok is that we can offer both windows and mirrors to kids all over the world. So, whether you see your family in our Lunar New Year content or are learning about it for the first time, we hope you will enjoy this small slice of holiday festivities.
From all of us here at Pok Pok, we wish everyone celebrating a prosperous, Happy New Year!
We’ve been so inspired by the unique approach of each child who plays with our toys and can’t wait to hear what families like yours think of this one. Receiving your feedback, videos and ideas for new updates is so important for the growth of Pok Pok so please say hello at hello@playpokpok.com or on social media @playpokpok.
