Lunar new year 2019

The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a significant traditional holiday in many East Asian cultures. Here are some key facts about Lunar New Year 2019:

Date: February 5, 2019

Animal: The Year of the Pig (or Boar)

Zodiac Sign: Earth Pig

Significance: The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the new year on the traditional Chinese calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon. It is a time for family reunions, feasting, and gift-giving.

Traditions:

  1. Cleaning the house: Before the New Year, people typically clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune.
  2. Wearing new clothes: It's customary to wear new clothes on the first day of the New Year to symbolize a fresh start.
  3. Eating traditional foods: Families gather to share traditional dishes, such as dumplings, fish, and niangao (sticky rice cake), which symbolize good luck and prosperity.
  4. Giving red envelopes: Adults give red envelopes filled with money to children and seniors as a symbol of good luck and blessings.
  5. Fireworks and lion dances: Fireworks and lion dances are common during the Lunar New Year to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck.

Celebrations:

  1. Parades and festivals: Many cities around the world, including San Francisco, New York, and London, host Lunar New Year parades and festivals.
  2. Cultural performances: Traditional performances, such as dragon dances, acrobatics, and martial arts, are often showcased during the celebrations.
  3. Food festivals: Many restaurants and food vendors offer special Lunar New Year menus and promotions.

Interesting facts:

  1. Longest celebration: The Lunar New Year is celebrated for 15 days, with each day having its own unique traditions and customs.
  2. Different names: The Lunar New Year is also known as the Spring Festival, Chunjie in Mandarin Chinese, and Seollal in Korean.
  3. Global celebrations: The Lunar New Year is celebrated not only in China but also in other countries with significant Chinese populations, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia.

I hope you enjoyed learning about Lunar New Year 2019!