Happy Lunar New Year 2024 - Year of the Dragon 🧧 🐉
Happy Lunar New Year 2024, the Year of the Dragon!
Starting on February 10th, those born under this powerful sign can harness their natural charisma, intelligence, and talent to achieve great things. Dragons are celebrated for their good luck, strength, and influence, reflecting the positive energy of the Yang element. This year promises opportunities for prosperity, love, and success, so channel your inner dragon and prepare to soar!
What Chinese Zodiac Animal are You?
To learn more about the animals in the Chinese zodiac, visit this URL: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/
Celebrate the Lunar New Year
Many Asian countries, including Vietnam and Korea, celebrate New Year at this time. Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and many other Asian communities.
Lunar New Year is an annual 15-day festival that begins with the new moon between January 21st and February 20th in Western calendars. This year, the Lunar New Year falls on February 10th, and celebrations last up to 16 days; lasting from February 10th through February 17th.
Before the Lunar New Year
In preparation for the Lunar New Year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to avoid bad luck from the previous year. It is also advised that you pay off any debts before the new year to close the books at the end of the year and start another year fresh.
Some additional traditions preparing for the Lunar New Year include putting spring festival couplets on doors or windows and buying new clothes.
New Year's Eve
On the morning of New Year’s Eve, people sweep the tombs of their ancestors and then return home. It's time for the big family reunion dinner when they finish hanging Spring Festival couplets and red lanterns. This banquet is believed to be the most important dinner of the year. Big families of several generations come together and enjoy delicious and lucky dishes.
Lunar New Year Traditions
Red Envelopes
Small red envelopes containing money are given to children, family members, friends, and employees to symbolize good luck. In many Asian cultures, red is associated with energy, happiness, and good luck.
Fireworks
Traditionally, fireworks are set off to mark the new year and ward off evil. According to legend, the practice's origin goes back to a story about a beast called Nian, believed to have been causing great harm to some villages. In response, the villagers are said to have set off explosions to scare off the beast. Since then, it has become a tradition for Lunar New Year.
Wear Red, not White or Black
Avoid the colors black and white because they are often associated with grief and mourning.
Wear red and try to wear a new outfit on Lunar New Year's Day.
Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2024/02/07/chinese-new-year-2024-guide/72336965007/
Watch these Videos of Dragon Dancers!
As we move forward, let's carry the values of respect, compassion, and optimism that are hallmarks of the holiday. May these guiding principles contribute to a year filled with personal and collective success.
Wishing you all a prosperous and fulfilling year ahead!
Special thanks to our Solutions Engineer, Kevin Nguyen for compiling the information for this post!