Happy Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year (LNY), also known as the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is one of the most important festivals for Asian countries. It is the first day of the new year according to lunar calendar (a calendar based on the monthly cycles of the Moon's phases), thus the dates would be different each year, compared to the static dates on the solar calendar. This year is the year of Snake, which begins on 29 January 2025. The celebrations last for around two weeks usually. This is a time for family reunions, visiting relatives and friends and exchanging greetings for the coming New Year.  Elders give red envelopes with money inside, known as “Lucky money” or “Red envelope”, to children as a blessing of passing a year of good fortune.  People also put-up red papers with auspicious sayings around the house for good fortune (known as “Chui lian” 春聯or “fai chun” 揮春).

People across the world celebrate it differently depending on the region, and there are so many traditional things to do during LNY.  Much of Chinese New Year is about Unity and Harmony, so it's the perfect time for family reunions.  Family members may have travelled long distances to return home for their New Year's Eve reunion dinner.  In mainland China, Spring Festival gala is a popular show for people to watch, which is broadcasted by CCTV from 8 pm on New Year’s Eve until 2 am of the next day.  In the north, people will eat dumplings with all of their immediate families for the first day of the year, while people in the south will usually eat traditional rice cakes 年糕, which represent a wish to be successful and 'higher' (a homophone of 高).  Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with red paper with words for good fortune and luck.  In Hong Kong SAR, people usually go around to their elders' houses to greet them know as "bai neen" (bai nian 拜年).  People also give out "Lai See" 利事 (red envelop 紅封包) not only to children, but also those who provide service.  Lunar New Year is also one of the most important traditional holidays in Korea.  People would dress in traditional costumes (known as hanbok), and children show their respect to elders with deep bows (known as seh bae).  In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is also known as Tết.  Traditional Vietnamese sticky rice cake snacks like bánh tét (a log-like, cylinder snack) and bánh chưng (a square cake), also play a vital role in the celebration.  

There are 12 zodiac signs according to the Chinese zodiac calendar, and the Snake is the sixth animal between the Dragon (2024) and the Horse (2026). 

According to Chinese mythology, the order of the zodiac animals was decided by a Great Race hosted by the Jade Emperor. The Snake, clever and strategic, coiled around the Horse’s hoof, managing to finish the race ahead of the Horse and claim sixth place.

Unlike the bold and outgoing Dragon (last year), the Snake represents calmness and introspection. These traits are seen as essential for guiding one’s life with wisdom and grace. Snake is a cautious, introverted observer, cool and mysterious in behaviour owing to their suspicious and insecure nature, yet their armour conceals abundant sensitivity, wisdom, and passion that will surely surprise their few confidants.