Welcome the year of the hare in style .

People worldwide count down to midnight and yell’Happy New Year’on December 31 , but the celebrations do n’t end there . Even after officially welcoming a new calendar year , the Chinese New Year call for another festivity .

You may have hear the vacation relate to as the Lunar New Year , which is more inclusive . The Chinese New Year specifically applies to Chinese people and celebrations held in China . But because the same vacation is celebrated in many unlike countries , using the term Lunar New Year is more inclusive , so you do n’t shut out any universe who participate .

Dragon lantern decoration during the Chinese new year

Credit: Sunphol Sorakul/Getty Images

This yr , prepare for the vacation by learning more about the Lunar New Year and plan a celebration for your friends and category .

When Is the Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year is a 15 - day solemnisation that begin on the evening of the first new moonlight between January 21 and February 20 .

What Is the Lunar New Year?

The history of the Lunar New Year originates with a legend thousands of years sure-enough . The story goes that a monster would assail villagers at the start of each new year . But the wildcat was afraid of meretricious stochasticity , bright lights , andanything in the coloring material red , so the villager would host forte celebrations and wear red to scare the monster away .

Today , lights , party , and traditional red laurel wreath are used to celebrate the holiday , which is believed to work luck and successfulness in the new yr .

The vacation is referred to as the Lunar New Year because the date is determined by the lunisolar calendar ( a calendar based on the cycles of the moon and the sun ) traditionally followed in East Asiatic countries . Just like much of the Earth celebrates the source of a unexampled calendar year on January 1 , those who keep the Lunar New Year welcome the starting time of the new lunisolar class .

What Is the Significance of Animals in the Chinese New Year?

2024 is the yr of the flying lizard , the 5th year in the 12 - year wheel of Chinese Zodiac creature — but what does that have in mind ? There are twelve zodiac signs link with the ( Lunar ) Chinese New Year , which have dissimilar meanings . For instance , anyone born during the twelvemonth of the dragon is order to show a confident , critical purport . They have ample amount of money of vim , which rubs off on — and inspires — those around them .

The animal sign rotate each Modern yr in this order : rat , ox , Panthera tigris , rabbit , flying lizard , snake , horse , goat , monkey , cock , dog , and pig . Since 2023 was the year of the rabbit , 2024 is the twelvemonth of the dragon , and 2025 will be the year of the Hydra .

The twelve signs are read to alternate in a yin and yang sequence , depending on whether the animal has an odd or even telephone number of claw , hoof , or feet . If you ’re peculiar to have sex what your Chinese zodiac planetary house is , you’re able to find it here .

How to Celebrate the Chinese New Year at Home

Traditionally , the Lunar New Year is celebrated with fireworks , feasts , and large crowds . If your community does n’t halt a enceinte gathering , you may stillhost a partyat home with family and Friend .

Hand Out Red Envelopes

It ’s tradition tohand out ruby-red envelopes of moneyto young people during a Lunar New Year celebration . If you ’re celebrating at home , fulfill red envelope full of one dollar bill broadsheet or voucher for playfulness activities and turn over them out to your kids throughout the solar day .

Hang Lanterns

Because bright lights were said to scare off the monster in the original fable , firework and lantern are typically used in the celebration . This year , spare your neighbors the brassy booms and opt for hanging red paper lanterns instead .

Make a Traditional Recipe

The Lunar New Year is all about celebrating luck and skillful fate in the upcoming year , so expend the sidereal day make a toothsome meal from food considered favourable . These12 golden foods , from donut to fish tolentils , will help you skirt in a tasty new year .

Holidays to Learn More About