The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important celebration in the traditional Chinese calendar. It is not just the beginning of a new year according to the lunisolar calendar: it represents a moment of renewal, family reunion, and good wishes for the months ahead, symbolically marking the arrival of spring.<\/p>\n
Unlike the Western New Year, it does not have a fixed date: it can fall between January 21 and February 20 and marks the beginning of fifteen days of celebrations, rituals, and traditions that culminate in the evocative Lantern Festival. In 2026, it falls today, February 17, officially opening a new cycle rich in meanings and symbols.<\/p>\n
Although it originated in China, this celebration is widespread in many countries across Asia and the Pacific, each with its own traditions: in China it is called Ch\u016bnji\u00e9<\/em> (Spring Festival), in South Korea it is known as Seollal<\/em>, in Vietnam it is celebrated as T\u1ebft<\/em>, in Indonesia it is referred to as Tahun Baru Imlek<\/em>, and in Malaysia and Singapore it is often called Chinese New Year.<\/p>\n In South Korea, for example, it is one of the most significant holidays of the year: families gather together, perform ritual bows to elders, and eat tteokguk<\/em>, a rice cake soup that symbolizes the beginning of a new age.<\/p>\n In Singapore, in addition to celebrations at home, the streets come alive with markets, decorations, lion dances, and the grand Chingay Parade, which blends Chinese tradition with a multicultural spirit.<\/p>\n Before the start of the new year, homes are thoroughly cleaned as a symbolic way to \u201csweep away\u201d the bad luck of the past year.<\/p>\n However, during the first few days, certain things should be avoided: taking out the trash or sweeping the floor is discouraged so as not to throw away newly arrived good fortune, and washing your hair is considered unlucky, as it may \u201cwash away\u201d your good luck.<\/p>\n On the contrary, wearing something red \u2014 the color of happiness and prosperity \u2014 and spending time with family are considered auspicious.<\/p>\n In China, millions of people travel back to their hometowns to share the New Year\u2019s Eve dinner: it is the largest annual human migration in the world. In many Asian cities, fireworks, traditional dances, and symbolic dishes such as yusheng<\/em> \u2014 a salad that in Singapore is \u201ctossed\u201d high into the air with chopsticks as a propitiatory gesture \u2014 are an essential part of the celebrations.<\/p>\n According to tradition, each year is associated with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.<\/p>\n 2026 is the Year of the Horse, a symbol of energy, freedom, determination, and initiative.<\/p>\n What if this were your year to run toward a new goal? For many young people, it can become an invitation to challenge themselves, discover new cultures, travel, study foreign languages, and open up to the world.<\/p>\n After all, Chinese New Year is not just a celebration: it is a moment to start again with enthusiasm and look toward the future with confidence!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important celebration in the traditional Chinese calendar. It is not just the beginning of a new year according to the lunisolar calendar: it represents a moment of renewal, family reunion, and good wishes for the months ahead, symbolically … <\/p>\nTraditions and small lucky \u201cdon\u2019ts\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Year of the Horse in the Chinese New Year<\/strong><\/h3>\n