![]() ![]() "Differing dynasties throughout China’s history set the dates and formalized various aspects of the celebration, and let’s remember that Asia is a very, very big place," Wen says. Some records suggest that this lunar observance was formalized in China forty centuries ago. However, holidays fall under the much older lunisolar calendar. ![]() Modern China has used the Gregorian calendar, like the West, since 1912. The entire history of Lunar New Year is a bit more complex. "Beginning in the 1940s, the government forbade celebration of the traditional Chinese New Year, but by the time I was a child in China, it was reinstated as a holiday and celebration," he says, adding that in the ‘90s, China instituted a weeklong vacation during the holiday (now officially called Chunjie, or "Spring Festival") giving people the opportunity to travel home and to celebrate the new year. All of this points to the new year as being a prime opportunity for freeing one’s self of past psychic baggage and creating fresh new beginnings," she says.Īccording to Luo, Lunar New Year dates back thousands of years, with roots in China as an agricultural festival to celebrate harvest, worship the gods, and ask for good luck in the future. "This particular new year being The Year of the (Black Water) Rabbit is especially auspicious, since in folklore, it is said that a rabbit is in charge of sweeping the moon and keeping it clean. Wen notes that the public holiday in China is seven days, but formal celebrations last 16 days, but schools and business may be closed for more than a month. ![]() Lunar New Year is also commonly referred to as Spring Festival, and begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar, and closes on the full moon. According to Wanda Wen, founder of Los Angeles' Soolip brand, a thorough house-cleaning is always the first step in readying one’s home and one’s self for a new cycle. The Origin of Lunar New Year:Ī new moon indicates a fresh, clean slate-both literally and figuratively. ![]() Each year within the Lunar calendar is also represented by one of 12 Zodiac animals that corresponds to the five elements.įor a look at the history of Lunar New Year and its various traditions-from delectable fare to unique rituals-read on for all the deets surrounding a fresh calendar year. Technically speaking, Lunar New Year is based on the moon cycles, so the date varies slightly every year, and lasts for multiple days. "It’s a great time to do some self reflecting and start the new year off right."Ĭulturally, Lunar New Year is a celebration observed throughout the world, mainly in Eastern Asia, and it "culminates in festivals, family celebration, and religious ceremonies to celebrate the previous year and ring in the new one," says Aaron Luo, co-founder of Caraa and Mercado Famous, based in New York, NY. "It's the biggest holiday in many Asian countries, and I love the traditions that come with the 15-day celebration," says Kristie Hang, a TV host, journalist, and expert in Chinese food & culture. Lunar New Year is a time for family, food, and togetherness, and this year, the celebrations kicked off on January 22, 2023. The Year of the Rabbit is ~officially~ upon us. ![]()
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