Lunar New Year is a vibrant and significant celebration in East Asian cultures, marking the beginning of the new year and new zodiac. The new year falls on Wednesday 29 January 2025, and it is the Year of the Wood Snake. The snake symbolises wisdom, intelligence, and intuition.
The Lunar New Year celebrations typically last for 15 days, with families gathering to enjoy meals, decorating the house in red for good luck, and participate in various customs. One of the key traditions is the giving of red envelopes filled with money, known as "lai see" 利是 or "hongbao" 紅包, which are associated with bringing good fortune. Traditional clothing is worn, and families enjoy lighting lanterns, and watching dragon and lion dances as well as fireworks to usher in the new year.
There are numerous festivities to mark the occasion, London’s Chinatown hosts the annual Lunar New Year celebrations, featuring stage performances, and spectacular lion and dragon parades. The celebrations will take place from Saturday 1 February to Sunday 2 February 2025, with a parade stretching from Shaftesbury Avenue to Trafalgar Square.
Wishing everyone a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year filled with happiness, good health, and fortune!
新年快樂 – ‘sun nin fai lok’ – Happy new year
恭喜發財 – ‘gong hei faat choy’ – Wishing you wealth and prosperity
身體健康 – ‘san tai gin hong’ – Good health
祝你好運– ‘zuk nei hou wan’ – Wishing you good luck
Thank you to Ruby Duong for sharing this article.
