When to Celebrate Lunar New Year 2018: Important Dates and Traditions to Know

When is the Lunar New Year 2018? Are you curious to know the exact date when millions of people around the world celebrate the start of a new lunar year? The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a vibrant and colorful celebration that lasts for 15 days, starting on the first day of the new lunar calendar.

In 2018, the Lunar New Year falls on February 16th, according to the lunar calendar. This means that the festivities will run from this day until March 2nd, marking the start of the Year of the Dog. For centuries, Asian countries have used the lunar calendar to mark the passage of time, based on the cycles of the moon.

But why is the Lunar New Year celebrated so widely among Asian cultures? Well, it's not just because of tradition – it's also the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar, a time for families to reunite, exchange gifts, and wish each other good fortune and happiness for the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the past year, let go of negativity and embrace new beginnings.

If you plan to celebrate the Lunar New Year, you can expect to see lots of red decorations, firecrackers, and traditional lion and dragon dances. The color red symbolizes good luck and happiness, and the loud noises of firecrackers are believed to ward off evil spirits.

Another important tradition during the Lunar New Year is the exchanging of red envelopes, which contain money and are given by older family members to younger ones as a symbol of good fortune. Many people also clean their homes and decorate them with auspicious sayings and symbols, like 福 (fu), which means good luck or 囍 (xi), which represents double happiness for couples getting married in the coming year.

But the Lunar New Year is not just celebrated in China – it's also an important holiday in many other Asian countries such as Vietnam, Korea, and Malaysia. In fact, it's the main holiday in Vietnam, where it's known as Tết Nguyên Đán, and is celebrated for seven days. Each country has its own unique traditions and customs, but they all share the same spirit of joy and renewal.

So if you're planning on celebrating the Lunar New Year this year, make sure you are aware of the customs and traditions that come with it, and join millions of people around the world in celebrating the start of a new year with good fortune and happiness. Happy Year of the Dog!

In conclusion, the Lunar New Year is a vibrant and colorful celebration that marks the start of a new lunar calendar year. It falls on February 16th in 2018, and celebrations will run for 15 days until March 2nd. With customs such as red envelopes, lion and dragon dances, and firecrackers, it's a time to reflect on the past year, let go of negativity and embrace new beginnings. It's a time for families to reunite, exchange gifts and wish each other good fortune and happiness for the coming year. So why not join in and celebrate with millions of people around the world?

"When Is The Lunar New Year 2018" ~ bbaz

The Lunar New Year is the biggest and most important celebration in China, as well as for millions of Chinese around the world. This marks the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar and is a time for family reunions, traditional meals, and cultural activities. The dates of this holiday vary every year, but it typically falls between mid-January to mid-February on the Gregorian calendar. For 2018, the Lunar New Year falls on Friday, February 16th.

The Lunar Calendar Explained

The Chinese lunar calendar has been used for thousands of years and is based on the cycles of the moon. Unlike the Gregorian calendar used in Western countries, which follows the solar year, the lunar calendar has 12 or 13 months in a year, depending on the position of the moon. Each year is assigned to one of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs - rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig - and each sign has its own associated characteristics.

The Year of the Dog

2018 is the Year of the Dog, the eleventh sign in the Chinese zodiac. People born in the year of the dog are believed to be loyal, honest, and just, with a strong sense of responsibility. Famous individuals born in the Year of the Dog include Winston Churchill, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Mother Teresa.

Celebrations and Traditions

The Lunar New Year is a time for families to come together, exchange greetings, and celebrate. The festivities last for fifteen days and include a variety of customs and traditions.

Reunion Dinner

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, families gather for a special dinner called ‘tuan nian fan' which translates to ‘reunion dinner.' It's a time to enjoy traditional foods like dumplings, fish, and rice cakes, while exchanging wishes for happiness and prosperity.

Red Envelopes

As part of the Lunar New Year tradition, adults give red envelopes stuffed with money to children as a sign of good luck. The red color is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity, while the amount is usually an even number to symbolize balance.

Fireworks

Fireworks are a big part of the Lunar New Year festivities, with people setting off fireworks throughout the day and night as a way to scare off evil spirits. The displays are often spectacular, and the noise level can be quite high, so be prepared!

Lunar New Year Around the World

The Lunar New Year is celebrated not just in China, but also in many other parts of Asia and around the world. In fact, it's a public holiday in countries like Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Chinatowns

One of the most popular places to experience Lunar New Year outside of Asia is in Chinatowns around the world. Places like San Francisco, New York, and London have large Chinese communities that put on parades, dragon dances, and other festivities during the Lunar New Year.

Colors and Decorations

Red and gold are the primary colors of the Lunar New Year, which can be seen in all the decorations and clothing worn during this holiday. The streets and buildings are adorned with lanterns, banners, and other symbols of good luck and fortune.

Closing Thoughts

The Lunar New Year is a time of excitement, hope, and renewal for billions of people around the world. Whether you're from China or just appreciate Chinese culture, take some time to celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones. Let's welcome the Year of the Dog with much joy and happiness!

When Is The Lunar New Year 2018?

Introduction

The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year, is a traditional festival celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. This festive event is based on the Chinese lunar calendar and, therefore, the date of the Lunar New Year changes every year. In this article, we will compare and discuss the dates, traditions, and customs of the Lunar New Year 2018 in different parts of the world.

Date of the Lunar New Year 2018

The Lunar New Year always falls on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, which usually occurs between mid-January and mid-February. In 2018, the Lunar New Year will fall on February 16th. This date marks the start of the Year of the Dog according to the Chinese zodiac, which has a twelve-year cycle.

Customs and Traditions

The Lunar New Year is a time for family reunions, food, and celebration. Many customs and traditions are associated with the Lunar New Year. Some of these include:

Red Envelopes: It is customary to give red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried adults as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

Fireworks: Fireworks are a big part of the Lunar New Year celebration, as they are believed to ward off evil spirits.

Decorations: Houses are decorated with red lanterns, banners, and couplets written on red paper.

Dumplings: Eating dumplings is a common tradition during the Lunar New Year, as their shape resembles that of ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots.

Lunar New Year Celebrations Around the World

China: The Lunar New Year is celebrated as a public holiday in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Many cities hold large celebrations, including parades, dragon and lion dances, and temple fairs.

Taiwan: Taiwan also celebrates the Lunar New Year as a public holiday. Some of the most popular traditions include releasing sky lanterns, eating rice cakes, and watching dragon and lion dances.

Vietnam: In Vietnam, the Lunar New Year is called Tet Nguyen Dan. The celebration lasts for several days and includes many customs, such as cleaning the house, cooking traditional foods, and visiting relatives.

Korea: Koreans celebrate the Lunar New Year as Seollal. Traditions for this holiday include the making and eating of tteokguk, a type of soup made with sliced rice cakes.

Differences between the Lunar New Year and Western New Year

The Lunar New Year and the Western New Year have many differences. The Western New Year is based on the Gregorian calendar and always falls on January 1st. Some of the main differences include:

Duration: While the Western New Year is celebrated for one day, the Lunar New Year is celebrated for up to fifteen days.

Traditions: The customs and traditions associated with the Lunar New Year are vastly different from those of Western New Year celebrations.

Foods: The foods served during the Lunar New Year differ from those served on Western New Year’s Eve. For example, dumplings, rice cakes, and whole fish feature prominently in Lunar New Year menus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Lunar New Year is a vibrant and exciting event that is celebrated by people around the world. Although there are many differences between Lunar New Year celebrations and Western New Year celebrations, they both share the common goals of spending time with loved ones and looking forward to a bright and prosperous future.

When Is The Lunar New Year 2018

Introduction

The Lunar New Year is celebrated by people of Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and other East Asian cultures. It is based on the lunar calendar and also called Spring Festival. It is one of the most important traditional events, where families gather to celebrate and share good fortune.

The Date for the Lunar New Year

The date for the Lunar New Year varies every year as it follows a lunar-solar calendar. In 2018, the Lunar New Year will fall on February 16th, which is the start of the Year of the Dog. The celebration will last until March 2nd, the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar.

Preparation

Preparation for the Lunar New Year usually begins quite early. Families clean their homes to sweep away bad luck, decorate with red lanterns and couplets that symbolize good luck, prosperity and happiness. They also offer sacrifices to ancestors, making wishes for blessings for the new year.

Traditional Customs and Activities

On the Eve of the Lunar New Year, families have reunion dinners, which is considered to be the most important meal of the year, where families, friends and relatives gather together to enjoy delicious food and drinks. Traditional activities include setting off fireworks or firecrackers, giving red envelopes filled with money, visiting temples or pagodas, and performing dragon and lion dances.

Food

Throughout the Lunar New Year, people will prepare traditional festive foods that are believed to bring good luck and wealth. Some popular foods include dumplings, rice cakes, fish, long noodles and glutinous rice balls, each of which carries symbolic significance in the culture.

Greetings

During the Lunar New Year, people will exchange greetings with each other as a way to show respect and good wishes. The most common greeting is Gong Xi Fa Cai in Chinese, which means wishing you prosperity or Happy New Year.

Taboo

There are several behaviors considered taboo during the Lunar New Year. One should not sweep the floor or take out the garbage on the first day of the new year, as it is believed that doing so will sweep away good luck. One should also avoid the number four as it sounds like the word for death in many dialects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Lunar New Year is an important celebration that worth experiencing. It is a time for family reunions, traditional customs and activities, as well as sharing good luck and happiness. Let's embrace the cultural diversity of our world and enjoy the festivity together.

When Is The Lunar New Year 2018?

The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival celebrated in many Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. It is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, which is different from the Western solar calendar. This means that the date of the Lunar New Year changes every year, usually falling between late January and mid-February. In 2018, Lunar New Year falls on February 16.

The celebration of Lunar New Year lasts for 15 days, with each day having a different significance and activity. Some of the most common customs and traditions during this time include cleaning and decorating homes with red lanterns and couplets, giving red envelopes filled with money to children, preparing and enjoying special foods, lighting fireworks and firecrackers, and holding family gatherings.

There are many different legends and stories associated with the origins of Lunar New Year. However, one of the most well-known is the story of Nian, a mythical beast that would come out of hiding to prey on villagers and livestock during the Lunar New Year. To scare away the beast, villagers would use loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. These customs continue today in the form of fireworks, red decorations, and red clothing.

In addition to these traditional customs, there are also many modern ways in which people celebrate Lunar New Year. For example, many cities around the world hold parades and festivals featuring colorful dragons and lion dances, food stalls, and cultural performances. Many people also choose to travel during this time, taking advantage of the long holiday period to visit relatives or go on vacation.

The Lunar New Year may be a joyful time, but it can also be a hectic and stressful one for many families. The preparations for the holiday can be extensive, and there may be pressure to follow tradition and fulfill certain expectations. Additionally, many people may experience loneliness or homesickness if they are unable to spend the holiday with their loved ones.

Despite these challenges, many people view the Lunar New Year as a time of renewal and optimism. It is an opportunity to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the future. Many people make resolutions, clean and organize their homes and lives, and spend time with those they care about.

For those who are unable to celebrate Lunar New Year with their families or communities, there are still ways to participate and enjoy the festive spirit. Try cooking some traditional foods or decorating your home with red items. Attend a local Lunar New Year event or watch a parade online. Consider calling or messaging loved ones to wish them a happy new year.

In conclusion, the Lunar New Year is a deeply significant and richly celebrated holiday in many cultures around the world. Whether you are observing the holiday with family and friends, or simply appreciating the unique customs and traditions, it is a time to come together and celebrate new beginnings.

We hope that this article has been informative and enjoyable for you. Whether you are celebrating Lunar New Year for the first time or are a seasoned veteran, we wish you a happy and prosperous Year of the Dog!

When Is The Lunar New Year 2018?

What is the Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a festival that marks the beginning of the lunar calendar which falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.

When does Lunar New Year 2018 begin?

Lunar New Year 2018 begins on Friday, February 16th.

What animal represents Lunar New Year 2018?

The coming Lunar New Year is the Year of the Dog according to the Chinese Zodiac.

How long does the Lunar New Year last?

The celebration usually lasts for 15 days and it's one of the most important festivals celebrated by over 1 billion people around the world.

What are some traditional ways to celebrate Lunar New Year?

Here are some traditional ways to celebrate Lunar New Year:

• Cleaning the house before the new year to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune
• Having reunion dinners with family on New Year's Eve
• Giving red envelopes filled with lucky money to children and unmarried adults
• Decorating with red banners, paper cutouts, and lanterns to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck
• Setting off firecrackers and fireworks to scare away evil
• Watching lion and dragon dances for good luck and fortune