Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations: World-Wide Traditions

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The Chinese Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, is a vibrant celebration that resonates across cultures worldwide. Each nation ties their own New Year celebrations to the ancient Chinese calendar, creating a tapestry of unique traditions and rituals.

The Chinese New Year itself is a two-week-long observance, marked by the zodiac animal for this year (this year’s sign is the Pig) and its associated element. Families gather together with traditional decorations and meals to celebrate this significant holiday.

Korea celebrates Seollal, a New Year spanning three days around February 24. It features family reunions, cultural festivals, and rituals performed in temples and monasteries.

Vietnam’s Tet festival occurs over three days starting March 3. It includes rituals dedicated to ancestors, preparation for the new year, and special dishes like Chung cake.

Tibetan Losar is celebrated around February 28-March 15, marked by religious ceremonies, cultural events, and family gatherings.

Mongolian Tsagaan Sar begins on March 1 with preparations, offerings to deities, and a unique tradition of walking in a specific direction based on the zodiac.

These celebrations highlight the rich cultural exchanges that tie the Chinese Lunar New Year into the hearts of people across the globe.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/29/who-is-celebrating-the-chinese-lunar-new-year-of-the-snake-and-how