When does lunar new year end?
Updated: September 5, 2024Introduction to Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a significant cultural event celebrated by millions worldwide. It marks the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar, which is based on the phases of the moon and the position of the sun. This celebration is steeped in tradition, blending family reunions, feasts, and various cultural activities.
The Start of Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year typically begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. The exact date can vary from year to year, as it relies on the lunar cycles. The festivities traditionally last for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival. The first day of Lunar New Year is often marked by family gatherings, grand feasts, and the widespread use of fireworks to ward off evil spirits.
Key Milestones During Lunar New Year
Days Leading Up to Lunar New Year
In the days leading up to Lunar New Year, families engage in thorough cleaning of their homes to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune. This period is also marked by the purchase of new clothes, decorations, and special foods for the upcoming celebrations.
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is one of the most significant days during the Lunar New Year period. Families gather for a reunion dinner, often featuring dishes with symbolic meanings, such as fish for abundance and dumplings for wealth. The evening is filled with joyous activities, including the giving of red envelopes (hongbao) containing money for good luck.
From New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival
Each day of the Lunar New Year has its own unique customs and traditions:
- Day 1: Known as the "Welcoming of the Gods of the Heavens and Earth," this day is dedicated to honoring deities and ancestors. It is also common to abstain from meat to promote longevity and happiness.
- Day 2: Married daughters visit their birth parents, and prayers are offered to ancestors and gods. This day is also considered the birthday of all dogs.
- Days 3 and 4: These days are reserved for visiting friends and relatives. However, it is often advised to avoid social visits on the third day, known as "chìkǒu," due to potential quarrels.
- Day 5: Known as the "Birthday of the God of Wealth," businesses often reopen on this day with prayers and offerings to invite prosperity.
- Days 6 to 10: These days are generally spent visiting extended family and friends, and engaging in various cultural and recreational activities.
- Day 7: Referred to as "Renri," or the "Day of Humankind," it is considered the common birthday of all humans. Traditionally, a special dish called "Yusheng" (raw fish salad) is prepared and enjoyed.
- Day 8: Another family dinner is held, and prayers are offered to the Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven.
- Days 9 to 14: These days continue with various family gatherings, prayers, and preparations for the Lantern Festival.
The Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival, known as "Yuan Xiao Jie," marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations. It falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month and is characterized by the display of colorful lanterns, lion dances, and the solving of riddles written on lanterns. Families come together to enjoy sweet rice balls called "Tangyuan," symbolizing reunion and completeness.
Regional Variations in the End of Lunar New Year
China
In China, the Lantern Festival is the official end of the Lunar New Year festivities. Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou host grand events, including lantern displays, dragon dances, and fireworks. The festival brings a sense of closure to the two-week-long celebrations, allowing people to return to their regular routines.
Taiwan
Taiwan's celebration of the Lantern Festival is particularly renowned, with the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival being a major highlight. Thousands of sky lanterns are released into the night sky, carrying wishes and prayers for the coming year. The festival is a significant cultural event that marks the end of the Lunar New Year period.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the Lunar New Year celebrations officially conclude with the Spring Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival. The city comes alive with vibrant lantern displays, parades, and cultural performances, providing a festive atmosphere that signifies the end of the holiday.
Southeast Asia
Countries like Vietnam and Malaysia also celebrate the Lunar New Year with their unique traditions. In Vietnam, the festival is called "Tet Nguyen Dan" and extends to the Lantern Festival, which is known as "Tet Nguyen Tieu." Similarly, in Malaysia, the Chinese communities celebrate with activities that culminate in the Lantern Festival, marking the end of the New Year period.
Modern Adaptations of Lunar New Year
In modern times, the duration and intensity of Lunar New Year celebrations can vary. Urbanization and the fast-paced lifestyle of contemporary society have led some families to shorten the traditional 15-day celebration. While the core customs are preserved, the scale and duration of the festivities may be adapted to fit modern schedules and commitments.
The end of the Lunar New Year is a moment of transition, closing a chapter filled with traditions and opening another with renewed hopes and aspirations. The Lantern Festival, with its dazzling displays and communal activities, provides a fitting conclusion to this period of festivity. As the lanterns illuminate the night sky, they symbolize the light guiding us into the future, leaving behind the old and embracing the new.
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