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Cultural and Religious Observances title with an image of a man smiling, a religious stained glass window, a woman wearing a hijab and colorful Indian art made with sand and flower petals

Cultural and religious observances – February 8-14, 2021

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Lunar New Year

Culture/religion: Chinese heritage
Date: February 12

Photo of a man in a traditional dragon costume at a Chinese New Year celebration in Singapore
Photo credit: Dileep Kaluaratchie, Wikimedia.org

With a history of over 3,000 years, Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important celebration for families.

Chinese New Year marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is the start of a new year on the lunar calendar and represents the desire for a new life.

The main activities of Chinese New Year include putting up decoration, reuniting with family for a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, firecrackers and fireworks and giving red envelopes and other gifts. Public celebrations also include dragon dances, lion dances and imperial performances like an emperor’s wedding.

2021 is the Year of the Ox.

Sources:

Chinese New Year (Dates, Traditions, Animal Signs), China Highlights