Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is a holiday that has been celebrated for over 3000 years and remains one of the most widely celebrated festivals in China, South Korea, Vietnam, and other countries with Chinese populations. While many people don’t understand its true significance, this holiday marks the arrival of spring and follows the Lunisolar Calendar.

The celebration spans fifteen days, beginning on January 29, 2025, welcoming the Year of the Snake – a zodiac animal representing mystery, intelligence, and wisdom. “Each year the cycle is represented by different animals which is used to predict how the year is supposed to go,” says Ms.Pana, a Language and Multicultural Teacher at Wakeland. The zodiac animals’ origins trace back to an ancient emperor who chose 12 animals as his guards. During the selection, when Dragon arrived without his son, Snake stepped forward and claimed to be Dragon’s adoptive child.

Celebrations vary across different cultures and families. Vivan Hyunh, a Vietnamese American Student states that her family invites her “extended family and the adults give red envelopes to the children containing $5-$20.” These red envelopes are a common tradition across Asian countries, given during important occasions like Lunar New Year, birthdays, and weddings as a way to send good wishes and blessings from elders to children.

Korean celebrations have their own unique traditions, as described by Kristabel Kim, a Korean American Student, who celebrates by “wearing traditional Korean clothes, mainly the kids and sometimes the adults do too, and they bow down to their older family members.” After bowing, the older family members bless the children by saying “te boh mani pat tey yah” which means may you get a lot of luck this New Year.

The festival concludes with the Lantern Festival, where people gather to enjoy tangyuan (sweet rice balls). Regardless of how you celebrate, Lunar New Year is a time for renewal and hope!