It's The Lunar New Year (February 1st, 2022) and you might be wondering, what is it exactly? We're here to explain what the Lunar New Year is all about!
Although it is commonly called the Chinese New Year, the holiday is celebrated by many different Asian countries like China, Korea, Vietnam and is often referred to as The Spring Festival.
The Lunar New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of the new year of the Lunar Calendar marking the end of the cold winter days and welcoming of spring. During the new year celebrations, people usually pray to their gods for a good harvest in the coming year.
It also marks the change of Zodiac signs. This year is the year of the Water Tiger! The tiger comes around every 60 years and represents bravery and courage as well as ridding away evil.
This year the Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year falls on February 1st, 2022 and lasts 16 days but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday. Unlike Gregorian calendar holidays, the Lunar New Year does not have a set date. It follows the Lunar Calendar so, depending on the first new moon of the year the date ranges between January 21st and February 20th.
Celebrations usually consist of cleaning before the new year, lots of delicious food, fireworks and red envelopes of money. The red packets of money are normally given from elders to children to symbolize transferring fortune.
