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Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, also called Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is a celebration of the Lunar Calendar that cycles every 12 years. It begins on the first full moon, and ends 15 days later on the last full moon of the lunar calendar. Each year is represented by a different Zodiac animal. This year, it’s the Rabbit’s time to shine.
Year of Longevity, Peace and Prosperity
According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2023 is a year of prospirty, hope and calm. However, it is believed that you can face great challenges if this is your Zodiac year (1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011), and are advised against making life-alterling decision. You can improve your fourtune by wear red or carrying lucky talismans.
A Quarter of the World Celebrates
Lunar New Year is the World’s 6th most celebrated Holiday. And is the most celebrated holiday in China and other Asian Countries.
New Year, New Date
The Chinese calendar follows a lunar cycle, rather than the more traditional solar cycle, so the date changes each year. It typically falls between mid-January and mid-February. This year it falls on January 22.
Weeks of Celebrations
The celebrations start January 21 and continue for 15 days. The festivities end on Lantern Festival, which is February 19. During this time most of the country gets a break from work and school. Schools are out for a month during Winter Break and employers allow between 7-12 days off work.
Gotta Get Home
Families are expected to celebrate together, making travelling home a must. Nearly 3 billion people travel by plane, train or bus to spend the Holiday with loved ones.
No Cleaning or Showering
Sweeping your home and taking out trash for a month before the festival is thought to bring you bad luck. Showering is also off limits on New Year’s Day, for fear of washing away good fortune. The day before celebrations begin is cleaning day. It allows you to sweep away the bad luck to welcome the good.
Fireworks for All
Chinese New Year is the largest use of Fireworks in the world. Most families set off some type of firework display themselves, while cities have large displays to celebrate. The biggest shows are typically held on New Year’s Eve.
Seeing Red
In Chinese culture, red symbolizes happiness, wealth and prosperity and is thought to ward off evil spirits while bringing good luck. Because of this, most New Year’s decorations are red. Red lanterns, costumes, street lights, and paper cuttings can be seen in homes and across villages and cities.
Everyone Ages
In China, everyone becomes a year older with the New Year. There are two types of ages, the “nominal” age and the “real” age. Your real age is the day you were born, and the nominal age changes with the New Year. Both are acknowledged and often used interchangeably.
Celebrations are also held in a few major cities throughout the U.S. So grab some lucky bamboo, or a bonsai tree from your local English Gardens store, and celebrate your good fortune with the Year of the Rabbit.
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