NPSD Celebrates Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year, Year of the Dragon

Lunar New Year

 

The Chinese New Year, also referred to as the Lunar New Year* and Spring Festival**, is based on the lunar calendar which follows the monthly cycles of the moon's phases. This holiday falls between January 21 and February 20. Each new year represents a fresh start and is also associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac. These include: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

*Lunar New Year- The Chinese New Year is not only an important holiday in China, it is also celebrated in Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, North Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Brunei. Although these countries follow the same calendar, traditions in each of these countries vary.

**Spring Festival- Although the holiday falls in the middle of the winter, the start of the Spring Festival marks the beginning of Spring.

2024 is the Year of theDragon


People born in the year of the Dragon usually possess natural courage, tenacity, and intelligence, often displaying enthusiasm and confidence.

 

Festivities begin on the evening before the first day of the first lunar month and continue for the next 15 days when the moon is full. The last day of the holiday is celebrated with the Lantern Festival. 


A Few Fun Facts


  1. Chinese New Year 2024 will herald the Year of the Dragon, one of the most revered symbols in Chinese culture. Being the Year of the Dragon, 2024 is expected to be filled with energy and vitality.
  2. "Guo Nian Hao" (pronounced gor nee-an how) means Happy New Year!
  3. More than 2 billion people worldwide will celebrate the Lunar New Year this year, which is approximately 20% of the world's population.
  4. The Lunar New Year is considered the "largest annual human migration" in the world since millions of people travel home to celebrate with their families.
  5. Each animal in the Chinese zodiac is said to have certain characteristics and personality traits that a person born in that year would also demonstrate.
  6. London, San Francisco, Sydney, New York, Vancouver, and Los Angeles have the largest Lunar New Year celebrations outside of Asia.
  7. Foods typically eaten include spring rolls, dumplings, noodles, steamed fish or chicken, and rice cakes. Each dish has a special meaning. For example, long noodles cannot be broken or cut because they are a symbol of long life.
  8. Red envelopes are traditionally given to children by their parents and anyone who is unmarried, even if they are 40 years old!


Celebrating the Lunar New Year in Philadelphia

General Information

Korean Lunar New Year

Vietnamese New Year- Tet

 

Tết, short for Tết Nguyên Đán, is one of the most important celebrations in Vietnamese culture. Tết celebrates the arrival of spring based on the Vietnamese calendar, which usually has the date in January or February in the Gregorian calendar.


The Vietnamese people have a slightly different zodiac in which the ox is replaced by the water buffalo and the rabbit is replaced by the cat. Many of our students, families and staff members are celebrating the year of the cat and not the rabbit.

Traditional Foods

Books about the Lunar New Year