�Xin Nian Kuai Le

Lunar New Year

Where are the big celebrations?

Lunar New Year is widely celebrated in China, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and other countries all over the world!

When is Lunar New Year?

Not all countries celebrate new year at the same time. Many different cultures use a calendar based on the moon. China for example, uses a lunar calendar, so their new year falls on a different day each year. Some years it is in January and some years it is in February.

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When is Lunar New Year?

This year, the first day starts on January 29th (last year it was February 10th). Celebrations will start happening on the night before.

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2025 is the �Year of the Snake

Dihua Street in Taipei, Taiwan for the Lunar New Year

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Traditional Food

• Just like many of our holidays, Asian families celebrate the New Year with LOTS of food!
• They have special foods that they eat each year.
• Many people believe that certain foods bring good luck.
• What are some traditional holiday foods that your family eats?

Noodles

Brings you happiness and a long life

Spring Rolls

Brings you wealth

Dumplings

Brings you wealth

Golden Nugget

Sweet Rice Ball

Family Togetherness

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Whole Fish

Brings you togetherness and friendship

Black Moss Seaweed

Brings you lots of money in the new year

Dried Bean Curd

Brings you money and

happiness in the new year

Bamboo Shoots

New Year, new beginning, new opportunities

Whole Chicken

Together and unity

Sticky Rice Cake

Prosperity

Taro and Pork Belly

Wealth, strength and many blessings

Oranges and Tangerines

• Asian people believe it is polite to bring a bag of oranges and tangerines when you visit family and friends during the week of Lunar New Year.
• They believe it will bring lots of happiness.

Candy Tray

• A candy tray is sometimes given as a gift too.
• It is usually in the shape of a circle or an octagon.
• It is called “The Tray of Togetherness.”
• Each candy represents some kind of good fortune.

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Superstitions

• Superstitions = you believe something good or bad will happen to you if you do a certain thing
• American Examples
• Find a penny, pick it up … all day long you’ll have good luck!
• Keep your umbrellas closed inside or it will bring bad luck

Lunar New Year Superstitions

House Cleaning

• DO NOT CLEAN ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
• The entire house should be cleaned BEFORE New Year’s Day.
• All brooms, brushes, dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment should be put away.
• Sweeping or dusting should not be done or good fortune will be swept away.

Out with the Old …

On midnight of New Year’s Eve, every door and window in the house should be opened to let the old year go out.

… In with the New!

• Shooting off firecrackers on New Year’s Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming the New Year.
• Fireworks were invented in China about 1000 years ago!

Your Words

• Everyone should make sure not to use bad or unlucky words.
• Bad words are NEVER said on New Year’s day.
• Also, you are not supposed to talk about the past. You should only talk about the future.

What to Wear

• On New Year’s Day, we are not supposed to wash our hair because it would mean we are washing away good luck for the new year.
• Red or yellow clothing is worn because it is a bright and happy color that is believed to bring the person a sunny and bright future.

Behavior

• The way you act on New Year’s Day is the way you will be all year.
• SO HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Chinese Zodiac

What are they?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrKQmI4vSwA&t=8s&ab_channel=CoolSchool

The Year of the …

• Each year is named after an animal
• This year is the year of the Dragon
• There are 12 animals in all
• Each animal has different qualities
• To find out your animal, find the year you were born on the calendar.

Calendar

Year of the Rat

1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

• You welcome challenges and enjoy learning about new things.
• Funny and smart, you are generous and will protect your friends.

Year of the Ox

1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

• You approach projects in a step by step manner, wanting to do things right the first time.
• Shy but dependable, you are caring and trustworthy and never lose sight of your goal.

Year of the Tiger

1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

• You are a natural leader but often like to do things by yourself.
• You like to be in charge.
• You believe in fighting for what is right, even if you lose in the end.

Year of the Rabbit

1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023

• You are well liked and popular.
• You have a large circle of friends and family.
• You are very protective of the people you love and they protect you back.
• You tend to keep your cool and avoid conflicts.

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Year of the Dragon

1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024

• You go out of your way to help your friends.
• You give great advice.
• Your outgoing personality helps you get along with many types of people.

The Year of the Snake

1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025

• You rely on your instincts before asking others their opinions.
• At times you want to take a break from the action.
• It’s not that your lazy – sometimes you just like to think.

Year of the Horse

1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 

• You have loads of energy and love adventure.
• You take charge and understand people.
• You love spending time in a crowd of friends.

Year of the Sheep/Goat

1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027

• You stick by your friends.
• You are artistic, creative and like to look nice.
• People enjoy being around you.

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Year of the Monkey

1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028

• You have lots of friends and love to have fun.
• You like to entertain your friends by showing off your talents.
• You are clever and have a good sense of humor.

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Year of the Rooster

1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029

• You are practical and resourceful.
• You use what you have to succeed without taking a lot of risk.
• You are a hard worker.
• You say what is on your mind and have a sense of style that sets you apart.

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Year of the Dog

1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030

• You’re a great listener who can keep a secret.
• You are loyal to your friends.
• You have a good sense of right and wrong and you stick to what you believe in.

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Year of the Pig

1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031

• You are smart and caring.
• You live to help people.
• You have great taste.
• You love the nicer things in life.

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