Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) happens this year on Wednesday, January 29th. This year ushers in the year of the Snake! What is the Lunar New Year, and who celebrates this holiday? What does the Snake symbolize, and what is your special animal symbol? Learn more about the Snake.
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When Is the Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year begins on the date (in East Asia) of the second new Moon after the winter solstice, which always occurs in late December. This means that the first day of the Lunar New Year can occur anytime between January 21 and February 20.
In 2025, the second new Moon will occur in China on January 29th, marking the start of a new lunar year.
What is the Significance of the Snake?
The snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year calendar. It is said that people born in the Year of the Snake are endowed with the qualities of adaptability, intelligence and sensitivity. They are organized and very efficient, getting straight to work quickly and quietly.
They are said to be generally amiable and easy-going, able to move through social spheres elegantly with their excellent communication skills. They are also even-tempered, capable of remaining calm and collected when there is an emergency.
How Is the Lunar New Year Celebrated?
As with many winter solstice celebrations, the symbolic darkness of night is banished by the light of fireworks, lanterns, and candles. Man-made paper lanterns are hung by the hundreds in public areas, bringing good luck to the new year.
There are dragon dances, performances, and festival parades with music and acrobatics. The festivities continue for two weeks, finishing with a special lantern festival, which signals the end of the New Year celebration period.
“Good Luck” is also a common theme of the New Year. Many children receive “lucky money” in red envelopes. Sometimes, offerings are made to temples.
People clean their homes and open their doors to let good luck enter. According to tradition, no one should pick up a broom in case you sweep the good luck for the New Year out of the door!
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* Much of this material came from other sources describing the Lunar New Year. Mainly, the Farmer's Almanac's article by Catherine Boeckmann provided most of the words.
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