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Lunar New Year 2023: When is the holiday and what does the Year of the Rabbit represent?
Olivia Munson
Jan 9, 2023
USA TODAY
For some, the new year is rung in on when the calendar turns from December 31 to January 1. But there are many others who celebrate the new year on a different day. The Lunar New Year is an international holiday celebrated in many Asian countries, but not all, and the United States even has its own celebrations.
Unlike western New Year's, the date of Lunar New Year changes depending on the year. But regardless of the date, each culture that celebrates the Lunar New Year has lasting customs, traditions and beliefs.
Globally, around two billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year. Here is what you need to know about the Lunar New Year in 2023: when it is, how long it is and what the Year of the Rabbit represents.
Jan. 22, 2023 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year also known as the Chinese New Year
When is Lunar New Year 2023?
Lunar New Year will be Jan. 22, 2023.
How long is Lunar New Year?
Unlike western New Year, Lunar New Year lasts longer than one day. The amount of celebration days depends on the culture. Some observances are longer than others.
The Lunar New Year is based on a different calendar than the Gregorian calendar, which many western countries, including the U.S., use. The calendar is based on the moon's 12 phases. Each phase lasts about 29 days, and the full calendar is around 354 days long.
In China, Lunar New Year lasts from the new moon to the next full moon. This is a fifteen day span until the fifth day of the lunar month, said Xiaoquan Raphael Zhang, director of the Chinese program at American University.
In 2023, Lunar New Year begins on Sunday, January 22 and ends on Sunday, February 5.
The first day of Lunar New Year is called the Spring Festival, and the final day is the Lantern Festival in Chinese culture, said Zhang.
Who celebrates Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year is celebrated throughout many Asian cultures, Zhang said. Among those are Chinese, South Korean, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Filipino and Indonesian culture.
Additionally, each has its own name for New Year. For example, in South Korea, Lunar New Year is called Seollal. In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is called Tết, short for Tết Nguyên Äán.
The number of celebration days also varies depending on the country. In South Korea, Seollal usually lasts for three days, while in China, Lunar New Year spans 15 days. In Vietnam, Tết Nguyên Äán is a week long.
Each country has its own name for Lunar New Year. In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is called Tết, short for Tết Nguyên Äán.
What does Lunar New Year signify?
Similar to how people celebrate December 31 and January 1 each year, Lunar New Year represents letting go of the past year to bring in the new one and all its possibilities.
"This is a big celebration," said Zhang. "Saying goodbye to the past year to pass and also welcome in the new year; peace, abundance and also prosperity."
Another key aspect to Lunar New Year is community. Families will come together to eat feasts and practice cultural customs.
For instance, people will clean their homes to get rid of the bad luck from the previous year. In China, there is a tradition to eat fish, as it is a sign of good luck and abundance, Zhang said. But the fish is not finished since the leftovers are said to provide extra money, savings or surplus for the new year.
It also important for families for pay respects to the older generations. Likewise, elders will give to the younger generations for health and progress into the new year. In many cultures, younger people will receive red envelopes with money.
"They want to give out and show their kindness to the young generation," said Zhang.
"This family reunion that signifies peace, abundance, prosperity also carries people (who are) waiting for the whole community, for the whole country, to be peaceful."
What does the Year of the Rabbit represent?
In the Chinese Zodiac, there are 12 animals; each with its own attributes and characteristics. These 12 animals coincide with the lunar calendar and fall in a 12-year cycle.
The order of the Chinese Zodiac is:
- Rat
- Ox
- Tiger
- Rabbit (in Vietnam, the rabbit is replaced by cat)
- Dragon
- Snake
- Horse
- Goat
- Monkey
- Rooster
- Dog
- Pig
Last year, 2022, was represented by the tiger, which is commonly associated with bravery, courage and strength. This year, 2023, will be the year of the rabbit.
"People believe that the people born in that year will carry some of the nature or the property of these animals," said Zhang.
For the rabbit, people born in its year are seen as caring, attentive to details and likely to follow rules, he said. They are also said to be successful in their careers and good at making friends.
