WHAT IS THE
LUNAR NEW YEAR?
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays across the world. The upcoming Lunar New Year 2025, which falls on January 29th 2025, marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake, according to the Chinese zodiac. This vibrant and festive occasion is filled with rich traditions, family gatherings, and a deep sense of cultural pride.
The Significance of Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is a time for families to reunite, honor their ancestors, and celebrate a fresh start. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which celebrates New Year’s Day on January 1st, the date for Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar, which follows the phases of the moon. This makes the celebration a truly unique occasion every year.
In addition to the traditional family gatherings, Lunar New Year also marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The holiday is a symbolic fresh start, offering opportunities for renewal, new goals, and reflection on the year that has passed.
When is Lunar New Year 2025?
Lunar New Year 2025 will take place on January 29th 2025, marking the start of a year that promises new beginnings. This is an exciting time for families, friends, and communities to come together and celebrate the cultural heritage of Lunar New Year.
And the days before and after Lunar New Year are also important to the Chinese people:
Lunar New Year’s Eve (January 28, 2025)
Lunar New Year’s Eve is the most significant day of the celebrations, centered around the Reunion Dinner, where families gather for a lavish meal symbolizing unity and prosperity. It’s also a time to honor ancestors, decorate homes with auspicious symbols, and stay up late (Shou Sui) to welcome the new year. Firecrackers are set off at midnight to ward off evil spirits and usher in good fortune.
Second Day of Lunar New Year (January 30, 2025)
The second day, often called the “Day of the Son-in-Law”, is when married daughters return to their parents’ homes with their husbands, bringing gifts and good wishes. It’s a day for family bonding, honoring ancestors, and making offerings to deities for blessings in the new year. Social gatherings and feasting are also common.
Third Day of Lunar New Year (January 31, 2025)
The third day, known as “Chikou” (Day of the Red Mouth), is considered inauspicious for visiting others due to the belief that arguments may arise. Instead, people focus on worshiping deities, such as the God of Wealth, or use the day to rest after the festivities of the first two days.
Lunar New Year Traditions
Lunar New Year traditions are as diverse as the cultures that celebrate it. From Chinese New Year traditions to various customs in other East and Southeast Asian countries, the celebration is rich in symbolism and practices meant to bring luck, happiness, and prosperity in the year ahead. Some key traditions include:
Reunion Dinner
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, families gather for a lavish reunion dinner, symbolizing unity and the importance of family ties.
Red Envelopes (Hongbao)
Giving red envelopes filled with money is a popular practice during Chinese New Year. The color red symbolizes good luck and is believed to ward off evil spirits. It’s customary to give these envelopes to children or unmarried individuals as a gesture of blessings for the new year.
Fireworks and Firecrackers
To scare away evil spirits and usher in good fortune, fireworks and firecrackers are often set off at the start of the Lunar New Year. The loud noise is believed to bring a fresh, auspicious start to the year.
Lion Dance and Dragon Dance
These lively and colorful performances are common during Chinese New Year celebrations. Dancers dressed in lion or dragon costumes perform energetic routines, symbolizing the chase of evil spirits and the welcoming of prosperity and good fortune.
Lunar New Year Food
Lunar New Year Food: Food plays a vital role in the celebration, with specific dishes symbolizing luck, prosperity, and happiness. Some traditional foods include:
- Dumplings (Jiaozi): Shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, dumplings symbolize wealth and good fortune.
- Noodles: Long noodles represent longevity, and they are often served uncut to ensure a long and healthy life.
- Fish: Typically served whole, fish represents surplus and prosperity in the coming year. The word “fish” (魚, yú) sounds like the word for “surplus” or “abundance” in Chinese.
- Sweet Rice Balls (Tangyuan): These round, sweet dumplings represent family togetherness and are commonly enjoyed at the end of the celebrations.
Celebrate Lunar New Year 2025 with Us!
At FeverSports Media & Education Society, we are thrilled to host the All Culture One Day – Lunar New Year celebration as part of our ongoing commitment to promote active lifestyles and cultural understanding, as well as to showcase Lunar New Year traditions through various entertainments, performances, and activities that highlight cultural diversity. In addition to traditional Chinese New Year events, identical Chinese leisure such as Taichi, dough art and Mah Jong, together with amusements from other nations like Mongolian dance and Japanese origami will also be contained.
Join us for a fun-filled celebration where you can experience the excitement and joy of Lunar New Year, participate in cultural games, enjoy lively performances, and connect with others from different backgrounds. Together, let’s celebrate the new year with love, happiness, and a commitment to fostering cultural understanding in Calgary!
Get Ready for a Year of Prosperity
As Chinese New Year 2025 approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past and embrace new opportunities. Whether you’re celebrating with family, attending community events, or exploring lunar new year traditions, we wish everyone a prosperous and joyful Lunar New Year. Here’s to a year filled with health, wealth, and good fortune!
Let’s make Lunar New Year 2025 a year to remember!