Chinese New Year, annual 15-day festival in China and Chinese communities around the world that begins with the new moon that occurs sometime between January 21 and February 20 according to Western calendars. Some people believe that Chinese New Year originated in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC), when people held sacrificial ceremonies in honor of gods and ancestors at the beginning or the end of each year. The term Nian ('year') first appeared in the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC). The records of the first Chinese new year celebration can be traced to the Warring States period (475 – 221 BC). In the Lüshi Chunqiu, in Qin state an exorcism ritual to expel illness, called "Big Nuo", was recorded as being carried out on the last day of the year. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is China’s most important festival. It is also the most important celebration for families and includes a week of official public holiday. The history of the Chinese New Year festival can be traced back to about 3,500 years ago. Today, it is the most important traditional festival in China, and many old customs are inherited from the long Chinese New Year history. The history of Chinese New Year can be dated back to 3,800 years ago. Its origin was the worshiping activities for harvest in Shang Dynasty (17th century -1046 BC). Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival. Falling on the first day of the lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year has a history of over 4000 years. Chinese New Year can be traced back to 4000 years ago. The centuries-old legend of the origins of the Chinese New Year celebration varies from teller to teller, but every telling includes a story of a terrible mythical monster preying on villagers. The lion-like monster’s name was Nian (年), which is also the Chinese word for “year." Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important and widely celebrated holiday in China and many other Asian countries. Its origins stretch back over 3,500 years, with traditions evolving and changing over centuries and millennia. The Lunar New Year — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival celebrated in several Asian countries. In Taiwan, this year, people have been drawn to the White Snake Temple to pay their respects. Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is the oldest traditional festival in China, but a few people concern the origin and story behind the holiday. Many existing customs and activities of the festival actually can be traced back to a popular story of the Monster Nian, which helps to explain why and how the festival is celebrated. The New Year celebration is celebrated for multiple days—not just one day as in the Gregorian calendar’s New Year. This Lunar New Year, which begins on January 29, is the Year of the Snake . History Behind The Spring Festival. The Chinese New Year and Spring Festival have a very long history that can be traced back 3,500 years into the past. The actual beginnings of the Chinese New Year tradition were not recorded clearly. However, many historians believe that the tradition began during the times of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC Much like the celebration of the New Year in the Western world, Chinese New Year is all about the hopeful spirit of renewal. The holiday’s traditions, symbols and rituals are all meant to wipe the slate clean and prepare for prosperity, good luck and happiness in the new year. Simply put, every Chinese New Year is a new beginning. The Year of the Snake. Here's your guide to the Lunar New Year. When does Chinese New Year start and end? Chinese New Year in 2025 starts on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and lasts until the Lantern Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival and the Lunar New Year, is an annual 15-day festival celebrated in China, East and Southeast Asia and by Chinese communities around the world. LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The Year of the Dragon is coming to a close. Tomorrow, a new moon will herald in the Year of the Snake and the start of the two-week Spring Festival celebration popular in When is the 2025 Chinese New Year? The Chinese New Year always falls on the second full moon of the winter solstice. For 2025, it happens on January 29, Wednesday, marking the start of the Wood Snake year. According to the Zodiac, people born in the year of the Wood Snake are believed to be exceptional strategic and analytical thinkers. Chinese New Year is a festival that celebrates the beginning of the new year in China. The celebration usually starts around late January or early February, and lasts 15 days. The origins of the Chinese New Year festival are thousands of years old and are steeped in legends but it is unclear when the beginning of the year was celebrated before the Qin Dynasty. A small scale Spring Festival is said to have been celebrated as early as at the time of the legendary sage-emperors Yao and Shun. Chinese New Year (also called Spring Festival or Lunar New Year) is the most popular holiday in China and Chinese communities around the world.. As one of the most important and distinctive traditional Chinese folk festivals, Chinese New Year carries rich cultural connotations and profound national emotions.
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