Lunar New Year -Year of the Wood Dragon

As the Year of the Rabbit comes to an end, the Year of the Dragon, more specifically the Wood Dragon, begins (10 February 2024-28 January 2025).

The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig and each has their own distinctive qualities and fortunes. The Dragon symbolizes power, nobleness, honour, luck and success in traditional Chinese culture. The Dragon is a supernatural being with no parallel for talent and excellence.

Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival. The most notable dates of the Lunar New Year 2024 are:

• Chinese New Year’s Eve (除夕 Chúxì) on 9 February 2024, the most important celebration, includes the family reunion dinner, and staying up until midnight.
• Chinese New Year’s Day (初一 (Chūyī) on 10  February 2024, a day for visiting family and relatives, giving presents and visiting ancestors’ graves
• The Lantern Festival (元宵节 Yuánxiāojié) on 24 February 2024, this marks the end of the festival. Lanterns are lit and hung or flown, people watch dragon dances in the streets and children answer lantern riddles.