Chinese New Year – 1 February 2022

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The holiday that’s celebrated by almost two billion people across the world, also known as Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, is upon us!

The holiday has a longstanding connection to the moon. Mainly observed in multiple countries in east Asia, the holiday is filled with rich culture and tradition that centers around the hope for good fortune and prosperity.

The Lunar New Year date is different each year, and is dependent upon one thing: the cycles of the moon. The lunisolar calendar tracks the phases of the sun and moon, in contrast to the commonly used Gregorian calendar which does not.

Although the date varies annually, it will always fall between Jan. 20 and Feb. 21 on the Gregorian calendar. Another constant is that each year has a corresponding animal from the Chinese zodiac, based on ancient Chinese mythology; 2022 will mark the Year of the Tiger.

The Lunar New Year falls on a different date each year, but the celebration typically lasts 16 consecutive days. This year, it starts on Lunar New Year’s Eve, beginning on Jan. 31, and ending on Feb. 15, 2022. Only the first seven days, Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, are considered a public holiday.

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar. A beautiful display of lanterns are lit and released into the night sky, signifying the final day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

Lunar New Year is annually linked to one of 12 zodiac animals – each possessing their own character traits. The animals consist of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

The animals are assigned based on a 12-year cycle, making 2022 the Year of the Tiger. The Tiger is known to be the king of all beasts, and is seated third in the Chinese zodiac order of animals.

Greetings to each and everyone of you.

This section for English-speaking viewers –
and all those enjoying the culture –

has developed over the months and is now offering materials of all kinds:

texts, images, poems, videos, etc.

It will continue to provide you with rich contents week after week.