When Is the Chinese New Year in 2024?
Kung hei fat choi! The Chinese New Year begins Saturday, February 10, 2024, marking the end of the Year of the Rabbit, and the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. Also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year is celebrated in several East Asian countries and in many other parts of the world with feasts, fireworks and parades. For many, it’s a weeks-long celebration marked by various rituals and traditions that are meant to usher in good luck for the coming year. Read on to find out more about Chinese New Year traditions and the history of Chinese New Year.
What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is a celebration based on the ancient Chinese lunar calendar. It typically lasts about 16 days and is a time for honoring deities and ancestors, as well as for hosting family gatherings and feasts.
Related: Chinese New Year Animals
When is the Chinese New Year 2024?
The date of Chinese New Year varies from year to year. This year, the Chinese New Year begins on Saturday, February 10, 2024, whereas in 2023, the Chinese New Year began on January 22.
Typically, Chinese New Year begins between late January and late February, timed to the new moon. The holiday falls on different dates every year because it is based on the ancient Chinese lunar calendar. This calendar was based on lunar phases, solstices and equinoxes. It also varied by region and depended on which emperor was in power, according to History.com.
Related: Chinese New Year Wishes and Greetings
Is Chinese New Year always on the same date?
No. The date of Chinese New Year changes each year, and is based on when the new moon falls between the end of January and the end of February. The dates vary each year because the festivities are timed to the ancient Chinese lunar calendar.
How long does China shut down for the Chinese New Year?
People in China typically have a week off for Lunar New Year celebrations.
What is the Chinese New Year animal in 2024?
Each Chinese New Year is marked by one of 12 animals from the Chinese zodiac. The Chinese New Year animal for 2024 is the Dragon.
When is the Year of the Dragon?
The Year of the Dragon begins on Feb. 10, 2024.
What are the Chinese zodiac animals?
The twelve zodiac animals are the:
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Sheep
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
Related: 6 Chinese New Year Traditions for Good Luck
Why does Chinese New Year last 16 days?
Chinese New Year typically lasts around 15 or 16 days because it begins with the new moon that falls sometime between the end of January and the end of February, and ends on the following full moon. The arrival of the full moon is traditionally marked with a Festival of Lanterns.
Is Chinese New Year religious?
Chinese New Year is closely tied to religious practices and beliefs from Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and various ancient folk religions, according to the AP. Today, however, it is largely celebrated as a secular holiday in China.
What colors should you wear for Chinese New Year?
Red is seen as a lucky color in China year-round, and the Lunar New Year is no exception. Other bright colors such as gold or yellow, which symbolize power and prosperity, are also popular choices.
What colors are not worn in Chinese New Year?
People in China would generally avoid wearing white during Chinese New Year celebrations, as white represents death and is worn at funerals. Black is also sometimes considered an unlucky color thanks to its associations with darkness, according to ChinaHighlights.com.
How do you say Happy Chinese New Year?
There are a few different English translations of Happy (Chinese) New Year, but people often say Shing Nyan Kwai Lo which means Happy New Year (新年快乐) (xīn nián kuài lè)
Are there other names for Chinese New Year?
The Chinese New Year is sometimes also referred to as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival.
What foods are eaten on Chinese New Year?
As with many holidays around the world, feasting is an important aspect of Chinese New Year celebrations. Some foods traditionally have special meanings during this festive period. For example, some people eat long noodles because they symbolize long life, according to History.com.
Many families also make round or crescent-shaped dumplings stuffed with cabbage or pork, which are said to bring good fortune, according to ChineseNewYear.net. Sometimes, coins are placed inside dumplings for luck.
Related: 25 Authentic Chinese New Year Recipes
What do you drink on Chinese New Year?
Wine is a popular beverage for Chinese New Year. During the New Year’s Eve feast, many people drink a type of white wine called nianjiu, which literally means “year alcohol,” according to ChineseNewYear.net.
What activities do you do on Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is marked by several traditions. Many people clean their homes thoroughly to get rid of any “huiqi,” or unlucky thoughts or breaths, that collected over the past year, according to History.com. This cleaning should be done before the stroke of midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve, according to CNN.
Families also gather for special feasts during the Lunar New Year period. During these celebrations, firecrackers and fireworks might be set off, and young people are often given money in red envelopes, according to Britannica.com.
Celebrations also commonly include a nighttime parade, during which people carry glowing lanterns and carry a large, glowing dragon through the streets.
Why should you not wash your hair on Chinese New Year?
Washing or cutting your hair on the first day of the Lunar New Year is seen as bad luck because it’s as if you’re washing away your luck and prosperity for the coming year. Some also believe that showers should be avoided altogether on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Cleaning the house on the first day of the new year is also seen as inauspicious for similar reasons.
What do oranges symbolize for Chinese New Year?
Oranges are often given as gifts during Chinese New Year. They are seen to resemble the sun and are associated with the positive yang principle, according to ChinaHighlights.com. So, they are thought to bring good fortune and good blessings.
What is the best gift for Chinese New Year?
Popular gifts for friends on Chinese New Year include tea, tea sets and fruits — as well as alcohol or tobacco, if you know they would enjoy those items. According to ChinaHighlights.com, seniors are often given clothing such as gloves, scarves or sweaters, and kids might receive candy, toys, school supplies or red envelopes filled with money.
What is Chinese New Year gift etiquette?
There are some rules to follow when giving gifts on Chinese New Year, according to ChinaHighlights.com. First, pay attention to the color of the gift and wrapping paper. Red, yellow and gold are good colors to use because they symbolize wealth. Steer clear of white, even white envelopes, because that color represents death. Blue and black should also be avoided.
Also, be careful with numbers when giving monetary gifts. The word ‘four’ has a similar pronunciation to the word ‘death’ in several Chinese languages, so avoid giving any amount of money that includes that number, or even giving any gift in multiples of four. On the other hand, the number ‘eight’ is considered lucky, so monetary gift amounts such as ‘88’ would be a good choice. When giving or receiving a present, it’s considered polite to use both hands. And when giving money, make sure the bills are clean and new.
Which Chinese zodiac sign is the luckiest?
Each Chinese zodiac sign is considered lucky in its own way. However, some signs may be seen as particularly lucky on certain auspicious dates and years. For example, people born in the Year of the Ox on the 13th or 27th of any month are considered especially fortunate, according to Your Tango. In general, the luckiest signs are the Rat, Dragon, Horse, Monkey and Pig. Each zodiac sign has its own particularly auspicious dates and years. People born in the Year of the Dragon on the 1st and 16th of their respective birthday months "are rewarded with power and autonomy in their careers and their social lives."
In 2024, the luckiest signs are said to be Monkeys, Roosters and Pigs, according to ChinaHighlights.com.
What is the personality of the Year of the Dragon?
According to traditional beliefs from the Chinese zodiac, the Dragon is associated with being a symbol of “power, nobleness, honor, luck, and success in traditional Chinese culture,” as explained by ChinaHighlights.com. People born in the Year of the Dragon are often considered to be "gifted with innate courage, tenacity, and intelligence" and are "enthusiastic and confident." Dragons are "not afraid of challenges, and willing to take risks."
What are Year of the Dragon's lucky colors?
Lucky colors associated with the Year of the Dragon are gold, silver, grayish white, according to ChinaHighlights.com.
What was the Chinese New Year animal in 2023?
Last year, the 2023 Chinese New Year was the Year of the Rabbit.
How long is the Chinese New Year 2024?
In 2024, Chinese New Year celebrations begin on Feb. 10 and ends on Feb. 24th, giving people 16 days to celebrate. The Chinese New Year public holiday (which begins on Chinese New Year's Eve and ends on the sixth day of the lunar year) is from Feb. 9-15, 2024.
How long is the Year of the Dragon?
The Year of the Dragon will last from Feb. 10, 2024, through Jan. 28, 2025.
Which Zodiac is the luckiest in 2024?
In 2024, the luckiest signs are said to be Monkeys, Roosters and Pigs, according to ChinaHighlights.com.
