Billions of people celebrate Chinese New Year around the world. For many Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist practitioners ringing in the new year, their religious traditions play an integral role in Religiosity and New Year’s gala. While the New Year is generally centered around the general theme of family bonding, religious observances are also an integral part of the festivities. These include domestically oriented rituals associated with popular Chinese deities, such as the Kitchen God and the God of Wealth. Family members also make In communities that celebrate Chinese New Year for 15 days, the fourth day marks the beginning of corporate "spring dinners" and the return to normal business operations. In other regions with a longer Chinese New Year holiday, celebrations include welcoming back the gods who were previously sent off on this day. Since the mid-1990s people in China have been given seven consecutive days off work during the Chinese New Year. This week of relaxation has been designated Spring Festival, a term that is sometimes used to refer to the Chinese New Year in general. The origins of the Chinese New Year are steeped in legend. One legend is that thousands of years For example, the Christian Chinese may include benedictions with their Chinese New Year well-wishes. The Taoist Chinese often burn paper joss money or paper models of material goods for their ancestors. Incense or joss sticks are widely used in Taoist and Buddhist practices. (Credit: Unsplash) Even the Muslim Chinese simply celebrate the In diaspora communities, particularly in cultural enclaves, Lunar New Year is visibly and joyfully celebrated. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Different countries across Asia celebrate the new year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. What is the Lunar New Year? The origins of Chinese New Year can be traced back over 4,000 years to the Shang Dynasty, where it was celebrated as a time to honor deities and ancestors. Initially, the festival was closely linked to agricultural cycles, marking the end of winter and the beginning of the farming season. As centuries progressed, the traditions and rituals Among China’s traditional holidays and celebrations, none ranks higher in importance than the Lunar New Year (農曆新年). Also known as the Spring Festival (春節), or simply Chinese New 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. Lunar New Year may be called different names in different East Asian countries and communities, but it is celebrated on the same date (and surrounding days) with similar celebrations. China. In China, Lunar New Year is known as Chinese New Year or in Chinese 'Spring Festival' (Chunjie). The celebrations traditionally last for 16 days, beginning The Chinese New Year. Chūn jié occurs between January 21st and February 20th. The date is different each year because the Chinese use the lunar calendar to determine it. Officially, Chūn jié is seven days long. However, most celebrations last for at least two weeks, sometimes more. Approximately 20% of the world celebrates the Chinese New Year. The start of a new year is a time full of symbolism, expectations and celebrations. Although many countries follow the Gregorian calendar and celebrate the New Year on January 1st, various cultures and religions around the world have their own specific dates and traditions to mark the beginning of a new cycle. The Chinese New Year is a celebration that honors the start of a new year based on the traditional lunisolar Chinese Calendar. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, this 15-day festival will begin on January 29th. Symbolism and Festivities of Chinese New Year Lunar New Year – Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is celebrated in China and by Chinese communities worldwide. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which follows a fixed date, the Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar and falls between To identify the different civil and religious calendars and the date when the new year begins, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a range of internet sources. Chinese New Year To celebrate New Year Thein Zaw. Chinese artists leap from pedestals as they perform a traditional lion dance marking the Lunar New Year of the Snake in the Chinatown area of Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. Lunar New Year, festival typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. The dates of the holiday vary from year to year, beginning some time between January 21 and February 20. Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is the first day of the New Year in the Chinese lunisolar calendar (Chinese traditional calendar). It is also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival. The first day of the festival begins on the New Moon sometime each year between January 21st and February 20th. We can give it to one another while reminding each other that success comes from the Lord (Psalm 75:6). As for Chinese New Year goodies such as barbecued pork, pineapple tarts (pineapple is called “ong lai” which means “may good luck come to our homes”), melon seeds, fizzy drinks, to name a few, let us remember to give thanks, enjoy them and eat them in moderation (1 Corinthians 10:31). In diaspora communities, particularly in cultural enclaves, Lunar New Year is visibly and joyfully celebrated. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Different countries across Asia celebrate the new year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. What is the Lunar New Year?
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