Lunar New Year

# Lions, Lanterns and Lucky Charms!

Celebrate the vibrant and joyous occasion of the Lunar New Year, a time of tradition and cultural significance. These VR resources offer an immersive journey into global celebrations, uncovering the rich customs, symbols, and rituals that mark this annual event. With this playlist, learn about the colorful festivals and their symbolism of hope and prosperity.

## Key Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the origins and significance of Lunar New Year
2. Explore how different countries and cultures around the world celebrate the Lunar New Year, focusing on key traditions and customs
3. Speculate about the meaning of animals and other icons involved in celebrating Lunar New Year

## How to Use This Playlist:

This playlist includes a range of resources designed to introduce students to the Lunar New Year as an event in the seasonal calendar and a reason for celebration.

Here are some suggestions on how to use the resources:

***New Year Around the World Explorable Scene*** - Use this scene to introduce the idea that other cultures celebrate New Year in unique ways. Can students identify which area in the scene is devoted to Lunar New Year iconography?

- [New Year Around the World](https://edvr.se/oDx-AV2-xY6/new-year-around-the-world)

***Lantern Festivals 360 Images*** - Step into the atmosphere of a traditional Lantern Festival in China or Taiwan. This spectacular event marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. These images take students to outdoor festivals illuminated by hundreds of colorful lanterns, where visitors enjoy traditional performances, eat festive foods and marvel at intricate displays. Ask students to observe how the lanterns represent hopes for good luck, happiness and prosperity, and discuss the symbolism of light in the festival.

- [Lantern Festival, China](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/360p-lantern-festival-china)
- [Hsinchu City – six Lantern Festival-9-Taiwan](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-hsinchu-city-six-lantern-festival-9-taiwan)

***Lion Dance @ Basin Meal Banquet*** - Transport your students to the streets of Hong Kong during the exhilarating lion dance performance, a highlight of the Lunar New Year celebrations. The lion dance is believed to bring good fortune and drive away evil spirits, with the dancers performing intricate movements to the beat of drums and cymbals. Explore the cultural significance of the lion dance and how it plays a central role in welcoming a new year filled with promise. What traits do your students think are symbolized by the lion?

- [Lion Dance @ Basin Meal Banquet, Lin Fa Tei Village, Pat Heung, NT HK](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-lion-dance-basin-meal-banquetlin-fa-tei-village-pat-heung-nt-hk-hong-kong)

***Lunar New Year Celebrations 360 Images*** - Showcase the excitement of Lunar New Year with these images, from communal gatherings at the Wong Tai Sin Temple to open-air markets where visitors seek festive bargains. These images offer a glimpse into the cultural traditions that mark the arrival of the new lunar year. Discuss the role of food, family, and community in these celebrations, and explore how decorations and gifts, like the lucky red envelopes, play a part in ushering in a prosperous year.

- [Guangdong foshan pujiu wishing tree](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-guangdong-foshan-pujiu-wishing-tree-guangdong-province)
- [Lunar New Year’s Day Blessings, Wong Tai Sin Temple, Kowloon HK](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-lunar-new-years-day-blessings-wong-tai-sin-temple-kowloon-hk-hong-kong)
- [Fast Food Stalls, Victoria Park Fair, HK](<https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-fast-food-stalls-victoria-park-fair-hk-hong-kong>)
- [Flower Stalls, Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair HK](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-flower-stalls-victoria-park-lunar-new-year-fair-hk-hong-kong-2)