Celebrate the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Tiger

This year Lunar New Year is on February 1. We will be ushering in the year of the Tiger and celebrating the spring weather to come. Here are some facts about Lunar New Year and the traditions that have been celebrated for centuries.

January 28, 2022

By: Discovery

Shop This Look

Photo By: Kevin Frates

Photo By: SOPA Images

Photo By: Sunphol Sorakul

Photo By: SOPA Images

Photo By: Alan Lin

Global Holiday

Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, or The Spring Festival is known as different things depending on who is celebrating. North and South Korea and Vietnam celebrate, calling it Lunar New Year. During years when it is safe to travel, family gatherings and celebrations occur globally. This causes Chinese/Lunar New Year to be the time of year where more people are traveling than any other time of the year in the world.

Every Year Has Zodiac Sign

There are 12 unique Chinese Zodiac symbols and they replicate every 12 years. We are leaving the year of the Ox and entering the year of the Tiger.

Lunar Calendar

Lunar New Year falls on a different date every year depending on the Lunar Calendar. It always falls in January or February. The celebration culminates this year on February 1 with a Lantern Festival.

The Myths of Lunar New Year

Nián is a mythical dragon-like creature who lives at the bottom of the sea. Story has it that a young boy fought off Nián using firecrackers and everyone in his village joined him in celebration, lighting off more fireworks. There are more fireworks set off on Lunar New Year than any other night on Earth.

Everything is Decorated Red

Before the start of the Lunar New Year, lanterns and other red decorations grace the streets and homes for Lunar New Year. Red signifies strength and it is used to ward off monsters, in addition to the firecrackers.

The Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebration. This night is all about the festivities and freedom.