Can you hear that? Drums, firecrackers, and the sound of joyful laughter. Lunar New Year is on the horizon; here is everything you need to know about it!
Starting on the first day of the lunisolar calendar, Lunar New Year celebrations last for 15 days, beginning on the first new moon and ending on the first full moon of the year. This year, it will beginn on February 17th and end on March 2nd. The two week period is a time to issue good luck for the rest of the new year, and chase away bad luck from the previous year. Many people like to clean and declutter their homes before Lunar New Year. This has a special meaning, signifying how we should sweep away any misfortune and open spaces up to welcome good fortune.
Lunar New Year is celebrated globally, in most of Asia, North America, and Europe. With each country having its own unique way to celebrate, the festival has many different variations. The most popular way of celebrating Lunar New Year is with dragon dancing and firecrackers, which are traditionally from China. In Singapore, there are large floats, costumes, and street performances. In New York, there are large scale firework displays across the city. No matter where you are, Lunar New Year is always a big festival filled with sights and performances!
This grand festival originates from the Chinese legend about the great beast, Nian (年). Thousands of years ago, near the start of every February, the Nian would strike at midnight, awaking from its slumber to eat livestock and attack villagers. The villagers were worried for their lives. They hid in their houses every time they saw the Nian coming, as they didn’t want to get eaten! One night, the villagers learned that the Nian was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the colour red. They used this knowledge to finally drive the Nian away back into the wilderness. This is why during the Lunar New Year period, we wear red clothes, give out red pockets, and set off firecrackers and fireworks at night.
In conclusion, Lunar New Year is a major festival celebrated globally, and a wondrous time to issue good luck and celebrate the coming new year with hope and joy!
