Lunar New Year is coming up in 2025, a time for bringing families together to honor traditions that have been passed down through generations. Such a festive occasion is always observed with enthusiasm as the beginning of a new year and a promise of growth, prosperity, and harmony.
Whether you are familiar with the festivities or a first-timer, you might be wondering: what should you expect, or where should you go during the Lunar New Year? This article offers insights into the key aspects of this celebration.
Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What Is the Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, marks the beginning of the new year on the lunisolar calendar. It usually falls between January 21 and February 20, although the dates of the holiday change with the phases of the moon.
The origins of the Chinese Lunar New Year date back to China’s Shang Dynasty in China (1600–1046 BCE), more than 3,000 years. Initially, farmers celebrated the holiday to honor deities and ancestors and the start of the planting season. Over time, the festival was tied to stories and myths, such as the legend of the Nian monster, which people scared away with red decorations, loud noises, and fireworks.
This festival is mainly celebrated in China and other Asian countries, including Vietnam (Tet), South Korea (Seollal), and Taiwan. Interestingly, the term “Lunar New Year” is now used worldwide, like in San Francisco’s annual festival and parade.
David Yu, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
When Is the Lunar New Year 2025?
The Lunar New Year in 2025 starts on January 29, launching the Year of the Snake. This is a lunisolar calendar celebration that lasts for 15 days and ends with the Lantern Festival on February 12.
Key Dates:
- Preparations (Little Year): Begin on January 22, 2025. Families clean homes to clear bad luck.
- New Year’s Eve on January 28th: Reunion dinners are held with service dishes like dumplings for ‘wealth’ and fish for ‘plenty’.
- New Year’s Day on January 29: Includes visits to relatives, giving of red packets, and ancestor worship.
- Lantern Festival on February 12th: Lanterns, dancing dragons, and tangyuan symbolize bonding among family members.
In Chinese culture, the Year of the Snake holds great importance. The Snake symbolizes wisdom, intuition, and transformation. It also represents calmness and strategic planning.
This present year is known as the Year of the Wood Snake. The element of wood relates to growth, renewal, and vitality, giving new meaning to the snake’s traditional traits
Traditional Customs and Practices
- Decorating with Red: Red stands for good luck in Chinese culture. People hang red lanterns, couplets, and other items to bring in fortune and keep evil away.
- Reunion Dinner: Families eat together on New Year’s Eve as it’s a time to honor ancestors and enjoy meals that bring luck.
- Giving Red Envelopes: Elders give red envelopes with money to younger people. This shows good wishes and helps strengthen family bonds.
- Firecrackers and Fireworks: Loud noises from firecrackers are meant to chase away bad spirits and bring joy.
- Visiting Relatives and Friends: People visit family and friends. It’s a time to exchange wishes for health and prosperity.
- Worshiping Ancestors: Families offer prayers, incense, and food at altars or graves. This tradition is meant to honor ancestors and keep family ties strong.
- Chinese Zodiac and Predictions: Each year is related to an animal from the zodiac. Predictions are made based on the animal, like the Year of the Snake, which means wisdom, intuition, and transformation.
- Lion and Dragon Dances: These dances, often part of public celebrations, are a way to scare off bad spirits.
- Eating Lucky Food: Some foods are special for the Chinese New Year:
- Fish means abundance.
- Dumplings means wealth.
- Noodles means long life.
- Lantern Festival: On the 15th day, the Lantern Festival wraps up celebrations. The Lantern Festival has lanterns, dances, and performances to mark unity.
- Avoiding Taboos: During the Chinese Lunar New Year, avoid:
- Sweeping on the first day.
- Cutting hair or using sharp tools.
- Wearing black or white clothes.
The Year of the Snake: What It Means
The Snake is one of the major years in the Chinese calendar of zodiac animals. In 2025, the Wood element defines this zodiac sign, reflecting growth and restoration.
In the Chinese zodiac, the snake represents wisdom, intuition, and transformation. So, people born in this year are considered thoughtful and strategic. In 2025, the Wood Snake will relate to growth, adaptability, and renewal.
It is a year of fresh starts and new ideas. According to experts, it is a favorable year concerning success and achievement. Business may be developed by dint of labor. People can show tenderness to others in every sphere of life and make coexistence better. Planting trees can also be an environmentally caring action. Problems could happen, but they need to be overcome with the help of patience and mutual understanding.
Lunar New Year Foods and Their Symbolism
The Chinese Lunar New Year includes traditional dishes whose meanings are tied to luck, wealth, and family. Here are some basic foods and their significance:
- Fish (鱼): Fish stands for abundance. It’s common to leave some uneaten to ensure plenty for the next year.
- Dumplings (饺子): Dumplings are linked to wealth. Their shape looks like gold ingots, meaning more wealth in the year ahead.
- Glutinous Rice Cake (年糕): This sticky rice cake symbolizes growth. Its name sounds like “higher year,” meaning progress and improvement.
- Longevity Noodles (长寿面): Long noodles stand for a long life. They shouldn’t be cut, as it’s thought to shorten your lifespan.
- Spring Rolls (春卷): Spring rolls represent wealth. Their golden color and shape remind people of gold bars.
- Mandarins and Oranges (橘子/橙子): These fruits bring luck because their names sound like “good fortune” and their color represents happiness.
- Sweet Rice Balls (汤圆): Tang yuan stands for family unity. The round shape stands for togetherness, especially during the Lantern Festival.
- Whole Chicken (整鸡): A whole chicken is a symbol of family unity. It shows the gathering of loved ones.
- Eight-Treasure Rice (八宝饭): This rice dish represents wealth. The eight treasures inside are meant to bring good fortune.
- Peanuts and Seeds: Peanuts stand for longevity, while seeds symbolize growth and new beginnings.
- Tray of Togetherness (全盒): The tray filled with sweets and dried fruit symbolizes family harmony and good fortune.
Photo by Angela Roma
How Lunar New Year is Celebrated Across Asia and Beyond
Lunar New Year celebrations vary from country to country, as there are diverse traditions in many Asian cultures.
Each region adds unique customs to the holiday, but common themes unite these celebrations: sharing, giving, and wishes for life and fortune. Key values include good health, prosperity, hope for reunions, and the blessing of life and children.
Lunar New Year in China: The Chinese Lunar New Year is also called the Spring Festival and lasts for 15 days until the Lantern Festival. Families enjoy a reunion dinner, decorate with red for luck, set off fireworks to scare away evil spirits, and give children red envelopes filled with money.
Lunar New Year in Vietnam: In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is known as Tết Nguyên Đán, or simply Tết. It is a time of reunions with the family, and honoring ancestors too. Homes are fitted with altars containing offerings, traditional food such as bánh chưng, and lucky money given to the children.
Lunar New Year in South Korea: In South Korea, the Lunar New Year is known as Seollal. It is a three-day event packed with family rituals. The young ones do the ritual of taking a bow to receive blessings from the elderly. Likewise, they enjoy special dishes like tteokguk rice cake soup, to usher in the New Year with good luck.
Lunar New Year in Indonesia: Imlek is the Lunar New Year in Indonesia. The celebration involves visiting temples and eating traditional Chinese dishes. Imlek is unique in that it sometimes blends traditions from specific Chinese cultural practices with local Indonesian customs.
Lunar New Year in Western Countries: In big cities like New York, London, and Sydney, massive parades and cultural events are held to celebrate Lunar New Year. These celebrations can take place in Chinatowns or cultural precincts, where people gather to enjoy performances, traditional foods, and festive displays.
Patrick Kwan from New York City, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Are The Lantern Festival and Lunar New Year The Same?
No. Although the Lantern Festival and the Lunar New Year are related, they are different celebrations within the broader context of the lunar calendar.
Lunar New Year marks the start of the new year based on the lunisolar calendar. It lasts 15 days and includes family reunions, meals, and customs for good luck. The Lantern Festival, on the other hand, falls on the 15th day of the Lunar New Year and marks the end of the celebrations. Celebrations involve lighting lanterns and eating sweet rice balls (tangyuan), which represent family unity.
Planning Your Lunar New Year Celebration
Tips for hosting, traveling, or participating in local Lunar New Year events
- Clean before the festival: Tidy up your home to sweep out bad luck and invite good fortune.
- Include red and gold decorations: Red stands for good luck, and gold brings wealth. Use both in lanterns, flowers, and tables.
- Prepare symbolic dishes: Serve foods like fish, dumplings, and longevity noodles. They represent abundance, wealth, and long life.
- Set up red envelope station: Let guests fill red envelopes with small gifts or candies to spread luck.
- Add fun activities: Kids will enjoy making lanterns or traditional decorations.
Photo by Angela Roma
Useful Tips In Case You’re Traveling for the Lunar New Year
- Plan travel ahead: Book your flights, trains, and hotels well ahead to avoid high prices and sold-out options.
- Join local events: Many cities hold big parades with dragon dances, music, and performances. Look for events in places like New York, London, or San Francisco’s Chinatown.
- Visit markets or temples: Explore markets for traditional foods and decorations. For example, in Chinatowns or popular areas, you’ll find temples with special New Year decorations and ceremonies.
- Some of the most popular places are Chinatown in San Francisco, London’s Chinatown, and Bangkok’s Yaowarat district.
- Look up event listings: Look up food stalls, craft booths, and performances at local festivals. Other events include fun activities like making lanterns or learning calligraphy.
- Engage with locals: Join workshops or talk to locals to learn about the customs, foods, and rituals. Locals love sharing their New Year traditions.
- Taste local foods: Many restaurants offer New Year specials like dumplings, fish, and rice cakes, all thought to bring luck. Don’t miss the chance to taste these dishes.
Family, Fortune, and Festivity: Stay Connected with Yoho Mobile
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Stay close, stay lucky, and stay in touch – because every celebration is better when you share it with loved ones.
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