Lunar New Year is major holiday that’s celebrated by millions of people around the globe, especially in east and southeast Asia. It's a 15-day period full of fun, feasting and festivities.
In China people call it Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, in Vietnam it’s known as Tết, and in Korea it’s called Seollal.
When is Lunar New Year?
It falls on the date of the first new moon, typically between January 21 and February 20, and marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year. In 2025 it falls on 29 January and marks the Year of the Snake.
Why do people celebrate Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the luni-solar calendar. It’s a way to welcome new beginnings and hope for prosperity, happiness and good health during the year ahead.
It’s also seen as a time to honor traditions and ancestors.
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How do people celebrate lunar new year?
Preparations begin a few days before the holiday. People clean their homes to rid them of bad luck and get them ready for a prosperous year ahead. Then, brooms are stored away so that any new luck won’t be swept away by accident.
People decorate their homes with red decorations – lanterns and cut-out paper shapes – as red symbolises joy and good fortune. They might also put fresh red paint on doors.
Lunar New Year is a time for getting together with family and feasting. And it’s not for just one day. The celebrations go on for a 15-day period.
Outside of the home there are parties, fireworks and parades. It's traditional to set off firecrackers and sky lanterns. However, these are damaging to the environment and pose serious harm to wildlife. It's good to use stationary candles, nightlights or static lanterns instead.
Why are lunar years named after animals?
Traditionally, years are named after 12 different animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
There's a popular legend about the Jade Emperor, who wanted to select 12 animals to be his guards. He organised a race, and the first 12 animals to finish the race would be assigned to a year, hence the 12 zodiac animals.
The rat won, because it was cunning. The snake was clever and strategic and coiled around the horse’s hoof, managing to hitch a ride and finish ahead of it.
According to the myth, each animal’s traits are believed to influence the personalities and fortunes of people born in that year.
The zodiac system is used in other east and southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Korea and Japan. However, they might have slight variations in the animal representations.
What does the snake symbolise in Asian culture?
In contemporary art and literature, snakes are often portrayed as fearsome, devious animals. However, snakes have always been widely recognised in east and southeast Asia for their wisdom, intuition and mystery. They are naturally strategic and make excellent problem-solvers.
They also represent transformation in Chinese culture, and can herald a year of growth and renewal.
In the Year of the Snake, people aspire to wisdom and the pursuit of a new life, and wish families and friends deeper wisdom, greater success in their careers and a coming year filled with new and exciting opportunities.
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