In 2022 Chinese New Year falls on February 1st. The date of the New Year varies from year to year as it follows the lunar calendar. Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.
Each year the festival falls between January 21st and February 20th coinciding with the relevant year’s lunar cycle. Celebrations often begin the day before the new year and carry on until the Lantern Festival occurs fifteen days later.
How is Lunar New Year celebrated?
There are many traditions associated with celebrating Lunar New Year. Some activities include:
- Approximately 10 days before new year cleaning the house thoroughly to remove any bad luck. This custom is referred to as ‘sweeping of the grounds’.
- Putting up decorations.
- Having a reunion dinner with family on New Year’s Eve.
- Giving gifts and lucky red envelopes.
- Firework displays and firecrackers.
- Watching lion and dragon dances.
There are also superstitions linked to Chinese New Year which are said to decide how the next year will unfold. Things to avoid include; washing clothes, using scissors and sweeping floors.
Each year is represented by a different animal from the Chinese zodiac. There are 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac each is said to have different characteristics and is assigned an element from earth, metal, water, wood or fire.
The animals and their characteristics are:
- Rat: smart, charming, resourceful and quick witted.
- Ox: patient, dependable, stubborn and kind.
- Tiger: Powerful, brave, kind and confident.
- Rabbit: Popular, sincere, kind and compassionate.
- Dragon: energetic, charismatic, intelligent and warm-hearted.
- Snake: wise, generous, gregarious and charming.
- Horse: independent, impatient, active and energetic.
- Goat: shy, kind, calm and sympathetic.
- Monkey: fun, energetic, curious and active.
- Rooster: hard working, practical, observant and independent.
- Dog: patient, generous, honest and kind.
- Pig: loving, tolerant, honest and generous.
2022 marks the start of the year of the Tiger with the element water. People born under the Tiger year are considered to be powerful, brave, kind and confident. The Chinese zodiac follows a 12 year cycle with different animals representing each year. People believe that a person’s horoscope and personality are closely associated with their zodiac sign determined by the year of birth.
The years the animal represent are a follows:
- Rat: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972
- Ox: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973
- Tiger: 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974
- Rabbit: 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975
- Dragon: 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976
- Snake: 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977
- Horse: 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978
- Goat: 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979
- Monkey: 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980
- Rooster: 2029, 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981
- Dog: 2030, 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982
- Pig: 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983
Happy Chinese New Year, I hope the year of the Tiger is good to you!