Many countries in Asia, such as Vietnam and South Korea, celebrate the New Year during this time. Lunar New Year, often referred to as Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and many other Asian communities. It is an annual festival lasting 15 days starting from the new moon from January 21st to February 20th in the Western calendar. The festival continues until the next full moon. The holiday began as a time to feast and honor the gods of the household, gods of heaven, and ancestors.
How long will the Chinese New Year festival last?
The 2024 Lunar New Year falls on February 10th and ends with the Lantern Festival on February 24th. The celebration lasts up to 16 days. Chinese holidays last from February 10th to February 17th.
What is the Chinese Zodiac?
The Chinese zodiac, or Shengxiao, is a 12-year cycle of animal constellations and their attributes that repeats according to the lunar calendar.
Chinese New Year represents the transition from one animal to another. The Year of the Rabbit, which began on January 22, 2023, will end on February 9th, and the Year of the Dragon will begin on February 10th. The last year of the Dragon was 2012.
before lunar new year
In preparation for the Chinese New Year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to rid themselves of the previous year’s bad luck. We also recommend paying off your debts before the new year so you can close your books at the end of the year and start a new year.
Other traditions to prepare for Lunar New Year include displaying Chinese New Year couplets on doors and windows and buying new clothes.
New Year’s Eve
On the morning of New Year’s Eve, people clean their ancestors’ graves and return home. After decorating the Chinese New Year couplets and red lanterns, it’s time for a big family gathering for dinner. This banquet is considered the most important dinner of the year. Extended families from several generations come together to enjoy delicious and auspicious food.
In China, the dishes served at such dinners vary from north to south. Northern Chinese cuisine tends to feature dumplings and noodles. The diet of southern China relies heavily on rice cakes. Traditionally, people hand out red envelopes containing money and set off fireworks after dinner.
Chinese new year traditions
lantern festival
The last day of the new year is known as the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations. Lanterns of all kinds are lit in the streets, and poems and riddles are often written for entertainment.
To contribute Dian Chan
sauce USA TODAY Network reporting and investigation. ChineseNew Year.net, History.com
