What is The Lunar New Year & When is the Lunar New Year?

​

Lunar New Year is the Chinese New Year

Celebrated every year in February

Time to wish everyone happiness, longlife and good fortune

Also known as the Spring Festival

First New Moon in January

Celebrated for thousands of years

Jan/Feb (Moon)

​

​

​

​

The story or stories of The Lunar New Year

2020 is the Year of the Rat

2021 is the Year of the Ox

Monster (Lion Dragon) attack Chinese Villagers, monk told people to hang red sheets of paper to scare the monster away.

Chinese New Year began when the monster was defeated

​

​

The importance of the Lunar New Year

Praying to god (religious time)

Time to remember loved ones/ancestors who fought the monster

​

​

​

​

Who & How is The Lunar New Year is celebrated?

​

Family gets togethers

Special food

Dumplings at midnight (dumplings represent wealth)-more dumpling you eat the more money you will make

Red and gold banners and scrolls around the doors (wishing everyone good luck)

Reunion dinner (a get together)

Celebrated for 15 days

Parade - dragon and lion dancers, dragon boat racing and lanterns.

Public Holiday

Gifts and Fireworks

People all over the world celebrate Chinese New Year

​

​

​

​

​

The similarities of the Lunar New Year to Matariki

​

Making lanterns

Spending time with whanau

Thousands of year ago people for pray to god for good harvests

Chinese New Year is based around the changes of the moon

Planting, harvesting,new beginnings, new starts

​

​

​

Other notes about the Lunar New Year

​

Chinese New Year is based on the movement of the moon.

Zodiac Calendar-12 year cycle (12 animals)-rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig

No hair cuts during CNY, no arguing, no bad language, no washing on NY day,

​

​

​