On January 29, 2025, over two billion people worldwide will celebrate the Lunar New Year. Also known as the Chinese New Year, the ancient festival lasts two weeks and is China's biggest holiday. Most businesses are closed for at least seven days. This allows millions of city dwellers to visit family and friends. The festival travel rush is known as Chunyun. It is the world's largest seasonal human migration.
The festivities will begin with a "Reunion Dinner" on New Year's Eve. The cherished tradition where family members reaffirm their love and respect for each other is considered the year's most important meal. The menu is rich in Chinese tradition. A whole chicken symbolizes family togetherness, while long, uncut noodles signify long life. Dumplings and spring rolls, which resemble gold bars, represent wealth. Though the rest of the dishes vary, there are typically eight or nine in total. In Chinese culture, eight is associated with good fortune, while nine represents longevity and good luck.
The celebrations will end on February 12, 2025, with the Lantern Festival. On this day, observers hang red lanterns in homes and temples and pray for good fortune in the upcoming year. The evening is marked with parades, the highlight of which is a dragon dance. Performers use poles to move a colorful silk-and-paper dragon.
Every Chinese New Year is dedicated to one of twelve animals. One popular tale credits the fun custom to the Jade Emperor's decision to honor animals with their own year. To earn this privilege the animals had to compete in a race that included crossing a fast-flowing river. The twelve that finished were assigned a year based on the order in which they completed the race. These animals are believed to influence the personality and destiny of those born in their year.
2025 is the "Year of the Snake." This includes those born in 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025. People born under the Snake sign are believed to be mysterious, wise, determined, and caring. They are resourceful and charming but value their privacy and independence.
Lunar New Year is also celebrated in neighboring Asian countries like Thailand and Singapore. In Vietnam, it is known as Tết. While the traditions are similar, the festivities typically last only seven days.
Xin Nian Kuai Le! (Happy Chinese New Year)
Resources: Wikipedia.org, chinesenewyear.net, travelchinaguide.com, almanac.com