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National Geographic
27-01-2025
- National Geographic
Top 10 things to know about Lunar New Year
We've all heard about the Year of the Snake—but what does this celebration really represent? Chinese New Year is a festival beyond compare. Technically it's a week—determined by the lunar calendar but always late January to mid-February—but for many, Chunjie (Spring Festival) is more like 40 days of celebrations. The travel involved has been called the largest annual human migration in the entire world. China holds 1.4 billion people (18.4 percent of the world's total population, but who's counting?) and every year, nearly three billion people fan across the country, returning to their hometowns. Here are 10 essential things to know about this massive, annual event. Name that holiday The holiday is not celebrated just in mainland China and Hong Kong. For Chinese people, Lunar New Year is the Spring Festival, and it's celebrated widely in Taiwan and across Southeast Asia in countries with large Chinese populations, like Singapore and Malaysia. In Korea, the Lunar New Year is called Seollal; in Vietnam, Tet; and in Tibet, Losar. (Related: See Hong Kong like a Nat Geo Explorer.) A reveler burns joss sticks for incense at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur on the eve of the Lunar New Year. Photograph by MANAN VATSYAYANA, AFP/Getty Images Say 'Happy New Year!' In Mandarin, they'll say gong xi fa cai (恭喜发财), wishing you a prosperous New Year. In Cantonese, it's gong hey fat choi. Still, if you wish someone xin nian kuai le (新年快乐), literally "Happy New Year," that's perfectly welcome, too. Hear firecrackers popping Leading up to and during the Spring Festival, the streets of Chinese cities used to sound like war zones, with firecrackers exploding all night. Following a big clampdown on people setting off their fireworks in urban areas, you'll most likely only hear these sounds in smaller towns and the countryside. The firecrackers serve two purposes: One, they're fun and celebratory; two, they were traditionally set off to scare away dragon-lion monster Nian—who, as legend has it, would attack villagers and sometimes eat children but could be frightened off by loud noises. (Related: Learn about other top New Year's celebrations around the world.) 3:45 Read the Chinese Zodiac signs This year is the Year of the Snake. There are twelve Chinese Zodiac signs, and these are taken far more seriously than a back-of-tabloid horoscope. Some signs, like the dragon, are coveted because dragons are considered to be authoritative, strong, and successful. Couples will aim to have babies in dragon years. Certain signs are said to match well with others: Dog (sincere, loyal, independent) and Rabbit (sensitive, modest, warm) are believed to be a good pairing. Your sign is determined by birth year—using the lunar calendar—so if you were born between February 17, 1988, and February 5, 1989, you're a dragon. You would think your Zodiac year (benming nian, 本命年) would be lucky, but it's the opposite. You'll need to watch out for and ward off bad luck. Festive pig-themed decorations cover Yuyuan Garden ahead of the Lunar New Year in Shanghai, China. The Lunar New Year begins on February 5, 2019, marking the beginning of the Year of the Pig. Photograph by Qilai Shen, Bloomberg via Getty Images See red everywhere In traditional and contemporary Chinese culture, red represents prosperity and happiness. It's considered a lucky color, and people will wear it in celebration to usher in an auspicious new year and to keep away bad vibes. Jumpsuits, sweaters, trousers, scarves, socks, hats, anything is game. If it's your Zodiac year you should wear more red than others, to buffer yourself from misfortune. In addition to being scared of loud noise, monster Nian is fearful of red. So, maybe red's not your favorite color, or perhaps you want to be protected closely every single day. That's where red underwear becomes useful. Go into any department store from December through February, or stop at one of the many street stalls selling socks and underwear, and you'll see pair after pair of red. Decorate for good fortune Walk around older neighborhoods in any Chinese city (or the countryside) and see peoples' windows, walls, and doors adorned. Squares of red paper with white characters like 福 (fú, good fortune) are pasted up diagonally. Red paper cuttings get taped onto windows so that passersby can admire them, and red banners (two vertical, with an optional third hanging horizontally) showcase Spring Festival couplets in gold. Likewise, in older neighborhoods, it's not uncommon to see huge salt-cured fish hanging from power lines, drying next to the laundry. Symbolizing prosperity, fish is a must for Chinese New Year. Fish (鱼, yu) is a homonym of 余 (yu), meaning surplus or extra. In public buildings like offices, hotels, and malls, visitors will notice tasseled, red-paper lanterns strung up, and kumquat trees positioned for good luck and wealth. In Mandarin, a kumquat is called jinju (金橘), and jin (金) is the word for gold. Children help to change lanterns for the upcoming year in an old building of Yangjia village in Lin'an, China. Exchange envelopes Hongbao (红包), literally "red packet," is a key element of Chinese New Year. The cash inside is considered lucky money for the upcoming year. Hongbao is generally given by elders to the younger generations, especially children, but if you earn well, it's polite to share with your parents and grandparents this time of year. If you're married, you must give hongbao; if you're single, you usually receive it. If invited to someone's house for Chinese New Year and you know they have kids, it's nice to put some cash into a hongbao. If you're traveling in the north, go for a round number; in the south, use lucky numbers (anything with six or eight). Don't give a multiple of four; the number is a homonym for death. Cut hair early It's nice to go into a new year without split ends, but for many people celebrating Spring Festival, it's more than that. Before midnight on New Year's Day, hair salons are abuzz with revelers, wishing to cut away last year's bad luck and walk out with a clean, shiny slate. Then it's no washing for 24 hours, to avoid scrubbing away the good luck. Lion dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Ditan Park temple fair on the eve of the Lunar New Year in Beijing. Photograph by Feature China, Barcroft Media via Getty Images Rent a date China's generation of only children is now in their late 30s or early 40s. Many are being nagged by two parents and four grandparents to settle down and have kids. Taobao—tech titan Alibaba's Amazon competitor, considered the world's biggest e-commerce website—offers a solution: You can rent a boyfriend or girlfriend. Prices vary, but expect to pay around $10 per hour, and more per day if your faux-beau has to travel a long distance to your hometown. (Related: Read about the young and lonely hearts of China's shrinking cities.) Join the fun Spring Festival is mostly celebrated at home, with family. Restaurants are closed, but leading up to the New Year, tuck into heaping plates of dumplings (饺子, jiao zi)—which sounds like 交子 (jiāo zi); the second symbol, 交 (jiao) means "exchange', 子(zi) is an abbreviation for 11 p.m to 1 a.m. So put together, you're exchanging the old year for the new with pillowy pockets of dough. With the ban on fireworks in cities, you won't be shooting off pop rockets (your ears will thank you). Short of inviting yourself to someone's house for dinner, the best bet for participating is at fairs inside temples in Beijing. The largest takes place at Ditan Park, where a canopy of red lanterns is strung overhead and performances are held daily: Tibetan folk dancing, a reenactment of the imperial family's traditional harvest prayers, and magic shows entertain all ages. Handicrafts are for sale, including snacks like niangao (the holiday glutinous rice square) and jiaoquan (a savory cruller best dipped in doujiang, or fresh soy milk). Writer Sophie Friedman is based in Shanghai. Follow her travels on Twitter @friedmansophie This article was originally published on February 4, 2019, and updated on January 24, 2025. Related: 25 Unique Traditions Around the World 1 of 25 Spain Each summer, thousands of people on horseback and foot flock to southern Spain, a celebration of Pentecost called the Pilgrimage of Rocío. Photograph by José Antonio Zamora, National Geographic YourShot Save $5 on a Nat Geo Digital Subscription Your interests, backed by facts and science—now only $19 SAVE NOW
Express Tribune
27-01-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Lunar New Year 2025: Slithering into the Year of the Snake on January 29
Listen to article The world is gearing up to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the most significant event on the Chinese calendar. Falling on Wednesday, January 29, this year marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake, kicking off a 15-day celebration filled with cultural traditions, family reunions, and symbolic rituals. Why the year of the Snake? The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, each represented by an animal. Those born in 2025 will be "Snakes," joining the ranks of 12 zodiac signs linked to the positions of the Tai Sui, deities associated with Jupiter. For many, the new year begins with temple visits for blessings, guided by predictions based on the stars. Myths and traditions: The story of Nian The Lunar New Year's vibrant displays of red banners, firecrackers, and fireworks trace back to the myth of Nian, a beast said to terrorize villages every New Year's Eve. According to legend, an old man drove Nian away with fiery red decorations and loud firecrackers, giving rise to traditions that persist today. Preparations for the festivities The days leading up to the new year involve rigorous cleaning to rid homes of bad luck from the past year. On January 27, the 28th day of the lunar month, families conduct a thorough cleanup. Superstitions abound: sweeping or taking out trash during the first five days of the new year is believed to wash away good fortune, and cutting hair on New Year's Day is discouraged as it symbolizes losing prosperity. Lunar New Year's Eve feasts The celebration begins with a grand family reunion dinner on January 28. Menus often include dishes symbolizing good fortune, such as fish (representing surplus), puddings (signifying advancement), and dumplings resembling gold ingots. Traditions vary by region, with northern Chinese favoring dumplings and southern Chinese opting for steamed rice. In Malaysia and Singapore, the 'prosperity toss,' or yusheng, is a must, with diners tossing a mix of vegetables and raw fish for good luck. Celebrating the days of the New Year The first two days involve family visits, gift exchanges, and sharing festive treats. The seventh day, February 4, marks the "people's birthday," commemorating the creation of humanity by the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa. Communities celebrate with special "birthday" foods, such as seven-vegetable dishes in Cantonese traditions. The lantern festival: A grand finale Lunar New Year concludes with the Lantern Festival on February 12. This day celebrates the first full moon of the year, symbolizing the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Lanterns are lit to drive out darkness and usher in hope. Historically, it was a day for matchmaking, earning it the nickname "Chinese Valentine's Day." Today, cities worldwide host vibrant lantern displays and fairs to mark the festival's finale. From cleaning rituals to grand feasts and lantern-lit celebrations, the Year of the Snake promises to continue Lunar New Year's rich legacy, uniting communities around the globe in joy and tradition.
Express Tribune
27-01-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Lunar New Year 2025: Celebrating the year of the Snake with traditions and tales
Listen to article The world is gearing up to celebrate Lunar New Year, the most significant event on the Chinese calendar. Falling on January 29, 2025, this year marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake, kicking off a 15-day celebration filled with cultural traditions, family reunions, and symbolic rituals. Why the year of the Snake? The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, each represented by an animal. Those born in 2025 will be "Snakes," joining the ranks of 12 zodiac signs linked to the positions of the Tai Sui, deities associated with Jupiter. For many, the new year begins with temple visits for blessings, guided by predictions based on the stars. Myths and traditions: The story of Nian The Lunar New Year's vibrant displays of red banners, firecrackers, and fireworks trace back to the myth of Nian, a beast said to terrorize villages every New Year's Eve. According to legend, an old man drove Nian away with fiery red decorations and loud firecrackers, giving rise to traditions that persist today. Preparations for the festivities The days leading up to the new year involve rigorous cleaning to rid homes of bad luck from the past year. On January 27, the 28th day of the lunar month, families conduct a thorough cleanup. Superstitions abound: sweeping or taking out trash during the first five days of the new year is believed to wash away good fortune, and cutting hair on New Year's Day is discouraged as it symbolizes losing prosperity. Lunar New Year's Eve feasts The celebration begins with a grand family reunion dinner on January 28. Menus often include dishes symbolizing good fortune, such as fish (representing surplus), puddings (signifying advancement), and dumplings resembling gold ingots. Traditions vary by region, with northern Chinese favoring dumplings and southern Chinese opting for steamed rice. In Malaysia and Singapore, the 'prosperity toss,' or yusheng, is a must, with diners tossing a mix of vegetables and raw fish for good luck. Celebrating the days of the New Year The first two days involve family visits, gift exchanges, and sharing festive treats. The seventh day, February 4, marks the "people's birthday," commemorating the creation of humanity by the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa. Communities celebrate with special "birthday" foods, such as seven-vegetable dishes in Cantonese traditions. The lantern festival: A grand finale Lunar New Year concludes with the Lantern Festival on February 12. This day celebrates the first full moon of the year, symbolizing the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Lanterns are lit to drive out darkness and usher in hope. Historically, it was a day for matchmaking, earning it the nickname "Chinese Valentine's Day." Today, cities worldwide host vibrant lantern displays and fairs to mark the festival's finale. From cleaning rituals to grand feasts and lantern-lit celebrations, the Year of the Snake promises to continue Lunar New Year's rich legacy, uniting communities around the globe in joy and tradition.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A 2025 guide to Lunar New Year as we slither into the Year of the Snake
Editor's Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel's weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay. Seeing an overabundance of red lately? From clothing shops to city streets, the fiery hue is going to be on display a lot in the coming days. It's all part of the fun as the world gears up to celebrate Lunar New Year, widely considered the most important event of the year in China and Chinese communities around the planet. Marking the first new moon of the lunar calendar, it falls on January 29 in 2025, kicking off the 15-day Spring Festival. Celebrations vary depending on the country or region, but there are a few common traditions. Whether you're unfamiliar with the occasion or need a refresher, this guide to ushering in the Year of the Snake has you covered. Incredibly complex, the Chinese zodiac calendar is best described as a 12-year cycle represented by 12 animals, in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Your personal zodiac animal sign is determined by your year of birth, meaning 2025 will welcome plenty of baby Snakes to the world. Children born in the last lunar calendar year were Dragons, while those born on or after the Lunar New Year in 2026 will be Horses, and so on. Followers believe that for each Chinese zodiac sign, luck will depend largely on the positions of the Tai Sui — a collective name for the stellar deities thought to rotate parallel to and in the opposite direction of Jupiter. Geomancy masters may interpret the data differently, but there is usually a consensus on what the year means for each zodiac animal based on the positions of the stars. For many followers, the Lunar New Year is an ideal time to visit a temple to make blessings depending on what the stars have to say about their particular zodiac sign for the coming months. (More on that below.) There are countless folktales attached to Lunar New Year, but the myth of Nian stands out as one of the most fun. According to the legend, every Lunar New Year's Eve this ferocious underwater beast with sharp teeth and horns would crawl onto the land and attack a nearby village. On one such occasion as the villagers rushed into hiding, a mysterious old man showed up and insisted on sticking around despite warnings of impending doom. To the villagers' surprise, the old man and the village survived utterly unscathed. The man claimed to have scared Nian away by hanging red banners on his door, lighting firecrackers and donning red clothing. This is why wearing the fiery color, along with hanging banners and lighting firecrackers or fireworks, are Lunar New Year traditions, all of which are still followed today. Fun aside, Lunar New Year can actually be a lot of work. Festivities often last for 15 days — sometimes even more — with different tasks and activities taking place over that period. It all begins about a week ahead of the new year. Festive cakes and puddings are made on the 24th day of the last lunar month (January 23 in 2025). Why? The word for cakes and puddings is gao in Mandarin and gou in Cantonese, which sound the same as the word for 'tall.' This means eating these treats is believed to lead to improvements and growth in the coming year. (If you haven't prepared your own 'gou' yet, here's an easy recipe for turnip cake, a beloved Lunar New Year dish.) And don't forget about our friend Nian. No Lunar New Year preparation would be complete without the aforementioned hanging of red banners bearing auspicious phrases and idioms (called fai chun in Cantonese and chunlian in Mandarin) at home — beginning with one's front door. These will perform double duty — keep Nian away and invite good fortune. Some of the prep work isn't quite as enjoyable. Many believe that a big cleanup should take place at home on the 28th day of the last lunar month, which falls on January 27 this year. The aim is to rid your home of any bad luck that's accumulated over the past year. Some believers won't even sweep or take out the trash for the first five days of the new year, fearing they will wash away all that fresh good luck. On a related note, many say you shouldn't wash or cut your hair on the first day of the new year either. Why? Because the Chinese character for the word 'hair' is the first character in the word for prosper. Therefore washing or cutting it off is seen as washing your fortune away. (Read more Lunar New Year do's and don'ts here.) A big family reunion dinner is usually held on Lunar New Year's Eve, which falls on January 28 this year. The menu is carefully chosen to include dishes associated with luck, including fish (the Chinese word for it also sounds like 'surplus'), puddings (symbolizes advancement) and foods that look like gold ingots (such as dumplings). In China, the foods served at these classic dinners vary from north to south. For instance, northern Chinese tend to have dumplings and noodles, whereas southern Chinese can't live without steamed rice. Lunar New Year feasts may look very different outside of China. In Malaysia and Singapore, gatherings aren't complete without a loud and chaotic 'prosperity toss,' or yusheng, when diners stir and toss thinly sliced vegetables and raw fish with chopsticks before a meal. The first few days of the Lunar New Year, especially the first two days, are often a test of one's stamina, appetite and social skills, as many people have to travel and visit immediate family, other relatives and friends. Bags are stocked with presents and fruits to give out at other people's homes. Visitors will in turn be showered with gifts after exchanging conversations over Lunar New Year treats. In many families, married people are expected to give out red packets filled with money to those who haven't yet tied the knot — both children and unmarried juniors. It's believed these envelopes — known as hongbao/lai see — could protect children by warding off evil spirits, called sui. Other countries have their own traditions. In South Korea, for instance, the Lunar New Year festival is called Seollal. The first three days are filled with tributes to ancestors, festive games and foods such as rice cakes (tteokguk) and pancakes (jeon). Day three of the Lunar New Year (which falls on January 31 in 2025) is named chi kou/cek hau, or red mouth. It's believed that arguments are more likely to happen on this day, so some people will avoid social interactions and instead visit temples to make offerings to offset any potential bad luck. As noted earlier, for many people Lunar New Year is a time to consult the stars to find out what lies ahead in the coming months. Every year, certain Chinese zodiac signs clash with the stars negatively so temple visits are considered a good way to resolve those conflicts and bring peace in the coming months. The seventh day of the Lunar New Year (February 4, 2025) is said to be when the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa, created humanity. Thus, it's called renri/jan jat (the people's birthday). Different communities in Asia will serve various 'birthday' foods on that day. For example, Cantonese people eat dishes made of seven types of vegetables. In Malaysia and Singapore, the 'prosperity toss' might make an appearance on tables. The highlight of the whole Spring Festival, the Lantern Festival happens on the 15th and final day (February 12 in 2025). Called Yuan Xiao Jie in Mandarin Chinese, it's considered the perfect ending to the weeks-long Lunar New Year preparations and celebrations. The Lantern Festival celebrates the first full moon of the year — hence the name (Yuan means beginning. Xiao means night). It marks the departure of winter and the beginning of the spring season. On this day, people light lanterns to symbolize driving out darkness and bringing hope to the coming year. In ancient Chinese society, it was the only day when young girls were allowed to go out to admire the lanterns and meet boys. As a result, it's also been dubbed Chinese Valentine's Day. Nowadays, cities worldwide still put on massive lantern displays and fairs on the festival's final day.
CNN
26-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
A 2025 guide to Lunar New Year as we slither into the Year of the Snake
Seeing an overabundance of red lately? From clothing shops to city streets, the fiery hue is going to be on display a lot in the coming days. It's all part of the fun as the world gears up to celebrate Lunar New Year, widely considered the most important event of the year in China and Chinese communities around the planet. Marking the first new moon of the lunar calendar, it falls on January 29 in 2025, kicking off the 15-day Spring Festival. Celebrations vary depending on the country or region, but there are a few common traditions. Whether you're unfamiliar with the occasion or need a refresher, this guide to ushering in the Year of the Snake has you covered. Why is it the Year of the Snake? Incredibly complex, the Chinese zodiac calendar is best described as a 12-year cycle represented by 12 animals, in this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Your personal zodiac animal sign is determined by your year of birth, meaning 2025 will welcome plenty of baby Snakes to the world. Children born in the last lunar calendar year were Dragons, while those born on or after the Lunar New Year in 2026 will be Horses, and so on. Followers believe that for each Chinese zodiac sign, luck will depend largely on the positions of the Tai Sui — a collective name for the stellar deities thought to rotate parallel to and in the opposite direction of Jupiter. Geomancy masters may interpret the data differently, but there is usually a consensus on what the year means for each zodiac animal based on the positions of the stars. For many followers, the Lunar New Year is an ideal time to visit a temple to make blessings depending on what the stars have to say about their particular zodiac sign for the coming months. (More on that below.) Why light firecrackers and wear red? Meet Nian There are countless folktales attached to Lunar New Year, but the myth of Nian stands out as one of the most fun. According to the legend, every Lunar New Year's Eve this ferocious underwater beast with sharp teeth and horns would crawl onto the land and attack a nearby village. On one such occasion as the villagers rushed into hiding, a mysterious old man showed up and insisted on sticking around despite warnings of impending doom. To the villagers' surprise, the old man and the village survived utterly unscathed. The man claimed to have scared Nian away by hanging red banners on his door, lighting firecrackers and donning red clothing. This is why wearing the fiery color, along with hanging banners and lighting firecrackers or fireworks, are Lunar New Year traditions, all of which are still followed today. The preparation Fun aside, Lunar New Year can actually be a lot of work. Festivities often last for 15 days — sometimes even more — with different tasks and activities taking place over that period. It all begins about a week ahead of the new year. Festive cakes and puddings are made on the 24th day of the last lunar month (January 23 in 2025). Why? The word for cakes and puddings is gao in Mandarin and gou in Cantonese, which sound the same as the word for 'tall.' This means eating these treats is believed to lead to improvements and growth in the coming year. (If you haven't prepared your own 'gou' yet, here's an easy recipe for turnip cake, a beloved Lunar New Year dish.) And don't forget about our friend Nian. No Lunar New Year preparation would be complete without the aforementioned hanging of red banners bearing auspicious phrases and idioms (called fai chun in Cantonese and chunlian in Mandarin) at home — beginning with one's front door. These will perform double duty — keep Nian away and invite good fortune. Some of the prep work isn't quite as enjoyable. Many believe that a big cleanup should take place at home on the 28th day of the last lunar month, which falls on January 27 this year. The aim is to rid your home of any bad luck that's accumulated over the past year. Some believers won't even sweep or take out the trash for the first five days of the new year, fearing they will wash away all that fresh good luck. On a related note, many say you shouldn't wash or cut your hair on the first day of the new year either. Why? Because the Chinese character for the word 'hair' is the first character in the word for prosper. Therefore washing or cutting it off is seen as washing your fortune away. (Read more Lunar New Year do's and don'ts here.) Lunar New Year's Eve: The big feast A big family reunion dinner is usually held on Lunar New Year's Eve, which falls on January 28 this year. The menu is carefully chosen to include dishes associated with luck, including fish (the Chinese word for it also sounds like 'surplus'), puddings (symbolizes advancement) and foods that look like gold ingots (such as dumplings). In China, the foods served at these classic dinners vary from north to south. For instance, northern Chinese tend to have dumplings and noodles, whereas southern Chinese can't live without steamed rice. Lunar New Year feasts may look very different outside of China. In Malaysia and Singapore, gatherings aren't complete without a loud and chaotic 'prosperity toss,' or yusheng, when diners stir and toss thinly sliced vegetables and raw fish with chopsticks before a meal. Lunar New Year's Day: Family visits and red packets The first few days of the Lunar New Year, especially the first two days, are often a test of one's stamina, appetite and social skills, as many people have to travel and visit immediate family, other relatives and friends. Bags are stocked with presents and fruits to give out at other people's homes. Visitors will in turn be showered with gifts after exchanging conversations over Lunar New Year treats. In many families, married people are expected to give out red packets filled with money to those who haven't yet tied the knot — both children and unmarried juniors. It's believed these envelopes — known as hongbao/lai see — could protect children by warding off evil spirits, called sui. Other countries have their own traditions. In South Korea, for instance, the Lunar New Year festival is called Seollal. The first three days are filled with tributes to ancestors, festive games and foods such as rice cakes (tteokguk) and pancakes (jeon). Day 3: Visit a temple Day three of the Lunar New Year (which falls on January 31 in 2025) is named chi kou/cek hau, or red mouth. It's believed that arguments are more likely to happen on this day, so some people will avoid social interactions and instead visit temples to make offerings to offset any potential bad luck. As noted earlier, for many people Lunar New Year is a time to consult the stars to find out what lies ahead in the coming months. Every year, certain Chinese zodiac signs clash with the stars negatively so temple visits are considered a good way to resolve those conflicts and bring peace in the coming months. Day 7: The people's birthday The seventh day of the Lunar New Year (February 4, 2025) is said to be when the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa, created humanity. Thus, it's called renri/jan jat (the people's birthday). Different communities in Asia will serve various 'birthday' foods on that day. For example, Cantonese people eat dishes made of seven types of vegetables. In Malaysia and Singapore, the 'prosperity toss' might make an appearance on tables. Day 15: The Lantern Festival The highlight of the whole Spring Festival, the Lantern Festival happens on the 15th and final day (February 12 in 2025). Called Yuan Xiao Jie in Mandarin Chinese, it's considered the perfect ending to the weeks-long Lunar New Year preparations and celebrations. The Lantern Festival celebrates the first full moon of the year — hence the name (Yuan means beginning. Xiao means night). It marks the departure of winter and the beginning of the spring season. On this day, people light lanterns to symbolize driving out darkness and bringing hope to the coming year. In ancient Chinese society, it was the only day when young girls were allowed to go out to admire the lanterns and meet boys. As a result, it's also been dubbed Chinese Valentine's Day. Nowadays, cities worldwide still put on massive lantern displays and fairs on the festival's final day.
