Lunar New Year 2025 began on January 29, ushering in the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. The celebrations will last 15 days, ending with the traditional Lantern Festival on February 12. This festival is the most significant celebration in China and among many Asian communities worldwide.

The Year of the Snake and Its Influences

The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, with 2025 represented by the Snake, which embodies wisdom, mystery, and intuition. According to astrological traditions, fortune during this period will be determined by the Tai Sui Star Gods, prompting many people to visit temples in search of blessings and spiritual protection.

Traditions and Symbolism of the Lunar New Year

The celebration is full of meaning and legends. One of the most well-known is the legend of the Nian monster, which terrorized villages on New Year's Eve. To scare it away, people began to wear red, set off fireworks, and hang bright lanterns—traditions that persist until today. Additionally, the rituals of this season symbolize prosperity, spiritual renewal, and good luck.

Preparations for the Turn of the Year

In the days leading up to the New Year, several practices are performed to attract positive energy:

• January 23 – Preparation of special cakes and puddings, representing growth and success.

• January 27 – Deep cleaning of homes to ward off negative energy. In the first days of the year, sweeping or discarding trash is generally avoided, as it is believed that doing so may sweep away good luck.

• On New Year's Day – It is not recommended to cut or wash the hair because the word for "hair" (发, fā) sounds like "prosperity," and washing it would symbolize the loss of wealth.

Key Events of the Celebration

Throughout the 15-day festival, various traditions mark the period:

• January 28 – New Year's Eve: The family reunion dinner gathers symbolic dishes, such as fish (abundance), Chinese dumplings (wealth), and rice cakes (growth).

• January 29 – First Day of the New Year: Visits to relatives and giving red envelopes (hongbao or lai see) containing money as a symbol of protection and prosperity.

• January 31 – Third Day (Red Mouth Day): A day considered prone to misunderstandings, prompting many to avoid social gatherings and seek peace in temples.

• February 4 – Seventh Day (People's Birthday): A celebration of the creation of humanity by the goddess Nuwa, featuring special regional dishes, such as yusheng, a delicacy typical in Malaysia and Singapore.

• February 12 – Lantern Festival: The final day of festivities, marked by lantern parades and the year's first full moon, symbolizing new beginnings and family unity.

Regional Variations of the Celebrations

Lunar New Year traditions vary by region:

• China: In the north, stuffed dumplings are the most common delicacy; in the south, rice-based dishes predominate.

• Malaysia and Singapore: The celebration includes yusheng, a "toast to prosperity" ritual where ingredients are mixed while making wishes for good luck.

• South Korea (Seollal): Besides ancestral rituals, the day features traditional games and typical dishes, such as tteokguk (rice cake soup), which symbolize a new life cycle.

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Want to learn more about the Lunar New Year 2025? Check out CNN's special coverage.