The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is one of the most auspicious events for South Asian nations. It is rich in culture, traditions, food, rituals, luck, and so much more.
In 2025, the Chinese New Year starts on January 29 and this year is being described as the Year of Snakes, as opposed to 2024 which was the Year of the Dragon.
The grand celebration
The Chinese New Year is the start of the lunar calendar and the celebrations go on for 15 days, sometimes even 16 in some communities. The last day of the celebrations is the famous Lantern festival which lights up communities and states with bright red colours and lights all around.
For people of Chinese origin all over the world, the New Year is a time of getting together, of community, of love, brotherhood, good food, rituals, and the likes.
No matter where a Chinese person is living during this time, the preparations begin weeks before the festival, and everyone comes together to do everyday tasks like cleaning their homes to sweep away bad luck and decorating it with red banners, lanterns, and symbols that will invite good fortune.
In events and cultural programs there are also fireworks and lion dances that mark the celebrations and there is the epic ‘reunion dinner’ that brings together families.
What is ‘Snake’ year?
According to Chinese astrology, the zodiac signs have 12 animals, each having their special traits and characteristics. In 2025, we see the Snake, the sixth animal in the cycle, which is a symbol of wisdom, intuition, transformation, and also cunningness and stealth.
People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be intelligent, resourceful, and charming, but also very secretive and cautious.
And to top the Snake year, the 2025 year is linked to the Wood element, which makes it Wood Snake year, meaning that the children born in this year will not just be clever, wise, cunning, and full of wisdom, but will also stand their ground, be charming, and will benefit all.
Snakes in Chinese culture
Snakes are usually one of the most feared animals in the wild, They are unpredictable, often venomous, and do not think twice before injuring someone to protect themselves. But across various legends and mythologies, the snakes are said to have been a symbol of transformation.
It is believed that just like a Snake sheds its previous skin, in the same way it has the power to change people’s lives.
According to many, snakes are also linked to wealth, good luck, and prosperity in Chinese thought.
Traditions of Chinese New Year
One of the biggest traditions of Chinese New Year is not just lighting lanterns and decorating things in red, but also the grand ‘reunion feast’.
Some of the most common foods are dumplings, steamed fish, uncut noodles, sticky rice cakes, mandarins, soups, and more. These feasts are elaborately prepared by the members of the family and are eaten together to usher in good luck and prosperity.
Decor for the New Year
The most common and the dominant colour for the Chinese New Year is said to be ‘red’. It is said to be a symbol of good fortune, protection, luck, and happiness, and thus the streets are covered in red banners, lanterns, sheets, carpets, and more.
And as 2025 is the Year of Snake, the iconic red, flaming snake will be present all across lanterns and banners, adorning the walls of homes.
Some people also do personalised calligraphy on scrolls and write auspicious phrases to invite good luck into their homes or shops.
The Lantern festival
On the 15th and last day of the celebrations, we have the Lantern festival. The streets in China are filled and covered with colourful lanterns, in red, blue, orange, and similar colours, and people enthusiastically perform dragon dances and cheer for each other.
In 2025, the Lantern festival will be on February 12, 2025.
Common rituals and customs for Chinese New Year
To welcome the Year of the Snake, here are some things to do on the Chinese New Year celebrations –
Clean the homes thoroughly before the festival but make sure to not sweep or broom the houses and lanes for atleast 5 days after. Why? Because many believe that when you sweep the house after New Year, you also sweep away the good fortunes that came along.
Another important ritual is the ‘Red envelope’ and is one that children especially like. Elders, especially married ones, of the family give red envelopes containing money to younger family members. This money and the envelope is said to be a symbol of blessings and protection.
People also wear new clothes, preferably red in colour, as it is believed to invite good luck to the person and family. They also visit temples and engage in meditation so as to not argue with others during these auspicious days.
