Mongolian lunar calendars, as well as Islamic and Jewish ones, for example, all have different months and cycles, and therefore celebrate Lunar New Year on different dates. Today, Chinese New Year is almost always celebrated on the second new moon following the winter solstice, therefore falling from late January to mid-February. Every year, the Lunar New Year marks the transition from one animal to another. The Year of the Dragon, which began on Feb. 10, 2024, ended Tuesday to begin the Year of the Snake. Chinese New Year specifically refers to the festival in China. Lunar New Year is a broader term for similar celebrations across Asia. Both are based on lunar calendars, but the Chinese calendar dictates the timing of Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the New Year celebration specific to China. Culturally, Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year are celebrated in similar ways. The Lunar New Year is traditionally a time for food, festivities, and family gatherings. It is celebrated in many countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. Unlike New Year's Day always falls on Jan 1st based on the Gregorian calendar, Lunar New Year's Day falls on different days each year. Different countries celebrated it on different dates. Differences between the Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year. In China, there is no difference between the Chinese New Year and the Lunar New Year. You probably already know about Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is a lunar new year celebration that’s similar to lunar calendars used by Tibetans, Hindus, certain Buddhist groups, and even one sect of Judaism. Lunar New Year is celebrated when the first new lunar cycle starts with a new moon. (A new moon is the absence of the moon.) Despite the variations, Lunar New Year celebrations across these cultures share common themes of family gatherings, honoring ancestors, and wishing for good luck and prosperity in the upcoming year. The Differences between Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year 1. “Chinese New Year” is specific while “Lunar New Year” is more general. Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are rich in cultural meaning and tradition. But it’s not the same. Lunar New Year encompasses celebrations of many cultures, while Chinese New Year focuses on specific Chinese traditions. When learning about these differences we can appreciate the diversity and beauty of each celebration. As the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, approaches, with the Year of the Snake from January 29 to February 12, 2025, it’s not uncommon for people to mix up Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between them. Here's everything to know about the 2025 Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake. Why does Chinese New Year fall on different dates? the Chinese New Year follows a lunar calendar based the Pre-Chinese New Year Preparations and Activities (Jan. 7–Feb. 12, 2025) Jan. 7, 2025: Laba Festival. Some Chinese start to celebrate and prepare for Chinese New Year as early as day 8 of the 12 th month of the lunar calendar. Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are two terms that are often used interchangeably to refer to the most important festival in many Asian cultures. However, they are not exactly the same thing. The Lunar New Year in 2025 welcomes the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese lunar calendar. Celebrated by millions around the world, this is a time for cultural traditions, family reunions, and hopes for good fortune in the coming year. From 2024:Authentic Chinese food in Queens for Lunar New Year a cure for homesickness How will Lunar New Year be celebrated in New York? The start of Lunar New Year, Jan. 29, will be marked with While Lunar New Year might commonly be referred to as the Chinese New Year, this yearly celebration can be seen throughout Asia. These 10 Asian countries each enjoy the Lunar New Year with unique The terms Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year are often used interchangeably. But it’s not the same. Although both celebrate the start of a new year according to the lunar calendar, they have different meanings, traditions, and cultural significance. Chinese New Year and the Vietnamese New Year (called Tết in Vietnam) actually have a lot in common. What we can be sure of is that Lunar New Year holidays are always about dedicating time for family, gatherings, gifts and hoping for the best for the New Year to come. The legal holiday is seven days long, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month. Some companies and public institutions enjoy a longer holiday up to 10 days or more, because in common knowledge among Chinese people, the festival lasts longer, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival). Its traditional Chinese celebrations last for 16 days, from Lunar New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival. In 2025, Lunar New Year will fall on Wednesday, January 29th and start a year of the Dragon. The Origin of Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year has enjoyed a history of about 3,500 years. A very old legend about Lunar New Year is still popular
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