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Traditional Chinese Lunar New Year 2025

Writer's picture: Nick SunderlandNick Sunderland

The Chinese Lunar New Year 2025 will begin on January 29, 2025, marking the start of the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac. Celebrations for Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, typically last for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival. However, its not when the Feng Shui Energies change, thats carried out on the Solar New Year 3/4TH February. More on that to follow...

Wood Snake 2025
Wood Snake 2025

Here’s an overview of the traditions, customs, and festivities associated with this vibrant holiday, enjoy the celebrations:


1. Preparations Before Chinese New Year

  • Spring Cleaning: Homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away bad luck and make way for good fortune.

  • Decorations: Red lanterns, couplets (poetic phrases on red paper), and paper cuttings with auspicious symbols are hung to bring prosperity and ward off evil spirits.

  • Shopping: Families buy new clothes, gifts, and special foods for the celebrations.


2. Chinese New Year’s Eve (January 28, 2025)

  • Reunion Dinner: Families gather for a lavish feast, often featuring symbolic dishes like fish (for abundance), dumplings (for wealth), and noodles (for longevity).

  • Fireworks and Firecrackers: These are lit at midnight to scare away evil spirits and welcome the new year.

  • Staying Up Late: Known as Shousui, staying awake all night symbolizes longevity and protection for the family.


3. First Day of Chinese New Year (January 29, 2025)

  • Red Envelopes (Hongbao): Elders give red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried adults for good luck.

  • Visiting Temples: Many people visit temples to pray for blessings and good fortune.

  • Wearing Red: Red clothing is worn to symbolize luck and happiness.


4. Days 2–15 of the Festival

  • Visiting Family and Friends: People visit relatives and friends to exchange greetings and gifts.

  • Lion and Dragon Dances: Performances are held in streets and public spaces to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.

  • Special Foods: Each day has its own traditional foods, such as rice cakes (niangao) for prosperity and sweet rice balls (tangyuan) for family unity.


5. Lantern Festival (February 12, 2025)

  • Lantern Displays: Beautiful lanterns are lit and displayed in parks and streets.

  • Riddles: Lanterns often have riddles written on them, and solving them is a fun activity for families.

  • Sweet Rice Balls (Tangyuan): These round, glutinous rice balls symbolize family togetherness and are eaten on this day.


6. Regional Variations

  • Northern China: Dumplings are a staple food during the celebrations.

  • Southern China: Rice cakes and turnip cakes are more common.

  • Hong Kong and Macau: Fireworks displays and parades are major attractions.

  • Southeast Asia: Countries like Singapore and Malaysia host large-scale celebrations with street fairs and cultural performances.


7. Symbolism of the Year of the Snake (2025)

  • Snake Traits: Those born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be wise, intuitive, and graceful. The snake symbolizes intelligence, mystery, and transformation.

  • Lucky Colours: Red, black, and yellow.

  • Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, and 9.


8. Modern Celebrations

  • Travel Rush (Chunyun): Millions of people travel to reunite with family, making it the largest annual human migration.

  • TV Galas: Families watch the CCTV New Year’s Gala, a popular variety show featuring music, dance, and comedy.

  • Digital Red Envelopes: Many people now send virtual red envelopes via apps like WeChat.


9. Greetings and Wishes

  • Common phrases include:

    • "Xīnnián kuàilè" (新年快乐) – "Happy New Year!"

    • "Gōngxǐ fācái" (恭喜发财) – "Wishing you prosperity!"

    • "Niánnián yǒu yú" (年年有余) – "May you have abundance year after year!"


Chinese New Year is a time of joy, family, and renewal, deeply rooted in tradition yet evolving with modern influences. If you’re planning to celebrate, immerse yourself in the vibrant customs and enjoy the festive atmosphere! 🧧🐍🎉




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