Millions across Asia and beyond ushered in the Lunar New Year on , marking the beginning of the Year of the Horse. Celebrations, steeped in tradition and symbolism, unfolded from bustling city streets to serene temple grounds, as families and communities embraced the fifteen-day festival.
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is the most significant annual holiday in China and many East Asian countries, extending its reach to diaspora communities globally. This year’s festivities follow the end of the Year of the Snake, which concluded on .
In Hong Kong, the scent of incense filled the air as people gathered at temples, offering prayers for good fortune in the new year. According to reports, individuals lined up to present offerings at midnight, carefully holding bundles of incense and bowing multiple times before placing them in designated containers within the temple grounds.
Vietnam also joined in the vibrant celebrations, known locally as “Tet.” Artists performed musical shows as part of countdown events, culminating in spectacular fireworks displays over several cities. The displays illuminated bridges and skyscrapers, accompanied by live musical performances, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowds.
The celebrations weren’t confined to East Asia. In Moscow, Russia, residents experienced a taste of Chinese culture with food stalls and streets adorned with red lanterns and dragon decorations. These events, which began on Monday, are scheduled to continue for two weeks across the Russian capital.
In Taiwan, the solemn ringing of a temple bell marked the start of the new year. The bell at Baoan Temple in Taipei was struck 108 times – a number considered auspicious – as people flocked to the temple to offer prayers and floral tributes. Worshippers lit incense, bowed their heads in reverence, and left bouquets of colorful flowers as offerings on tables in the temple courtyard.
The Lunar New Year is rooted in ancient traditions, originally a time for feasting and honoring both household and heavenly deities, as well as ancestors. Preparations for the festival often involve thorough house cleaning to dispel bad luck from the previous year and settling debts to begin the new year with a clean slate. The practice of displaying spring festival couplets on doors and windows, and purchasing new clothes are also common pre-new year rituals.
This year’s Lunar New Year is particularly significant as it ushers in the Year of the Fire Horse. The Chinese zodiac, or Sheng Xiao, operates on a twelve-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal and its associated attributes. The Year of the Horse last occurred in 2014, and the “Fire” element adds another layer of symbolism to the year ahead.
The Lunar New Year’s date varies annually, falling between and on the Western calendar, as We see determined by the start of a new moon. This differs from the Gregorian calendar, which begins on January 1st. The festival itself lasts until the following full moon, with the main public holiday in China running from to , extending the celebrations to up to sixteen days.
While often referred to as “Chinese New Year,” the holiday is celebrated across Asia and in communities worldwide, highlighting its broad cultural significance. The festivities represent a time for renewal, family reunions, and looking forward to a prosperous year ahead.
