When is Chinese New Year 2025 according to the lunar calendar and how is it celebrated?

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Chinese New Year always falls between the end of January and the end of February. In 2025, the holiday will begin on January 29. The date of the holiday is determined by the lunar calendar based on the phases of the moon. Therefore, the holiday has another name – Lunar New Year.

China will celebrate the year 4722. The Eastern calendar is tied to the lunar cycle, the New Year begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice. From here, the date of the beginning of the year and the main symbol are calculated.

According to Eastern philosophy, the Universe is built from five elements (heavenly elements): wood, fire, earth, metal, water. Later, “earthly branches” were added to the calendar, which are designated by the names of animals. The heavenly and earthly branches determine what the year will be. In 2025, the main symbol will be a tree and the sixth of the 12 animals in the zodiac cycle – the Snake.

The tree is the first stage of the universe and the embodiment of new life. The snake, according to the Chinese zodiac, symbolizes flexibility, wisdom and possibilities. It combines two principles – yin and yang, therefore it is considered one of the most mysterious animals and can cause powerful transformations. The year of the Green Wood Snake predicts changes and new challenges.

How many days does the New Year last in China and how is it celebrated

The Chinese New Year lasts 15 days, in 2025 – from January 29 to February 16. It ends with the traditional festival “Lantern Festival”. During the celebration, the wild meihua plum blossoms, which means the beginning of spring awakening. Therefore, the New Year has another name – the Spring Festival.

An old Chinese legend tells that during this period, a terrible monster Nian came and plundered villages. People were very afraid of him, until they accidentally realized that the monster was afraid of the color red, flames and loud noise. Some traditions of the celebration were formed from the legend.

• Throw away everything unnecessary and clean thoroughly. It is believed that before the New Year, you should throw away everything old and start the year without unnecessary baggage.
• A family holiday, it should be celebrated by gathering with your closest relatives.
• On the eve of the Spring Festival, many families stay up all night, which in Chinese is called “watching for the approach of the New Year.”
• An important element of the holiday is the color red, so houses are decorated with red decorations.
• Loud celebrations are also held on the streets. People perform the “Lion Dance” and the Yange folk dance.
• The Lantern Festival ends the multi-day cycle of the New Year. Before the celebration, homes and streets are decorated with lanterns and lights.
• Luxurious feasts accompany family gatherings. There should be a lot of sweets and various delicacies.
• Exchanging gifts is not a very common tradition. Children are often given money in red envelopes. It is also customary to give money to any child who visits the house during the New Year celebration.