When is Lunar New Year? Here's what to know about the celebration 🧧

Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read

Lunar New Year is an annual celebration marking the arrival of spring and the start of the new year on the lunisolar calendar. It's celebrated by feasts, festivals and traditions in China, South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and more.

Lunar New Year also ushers in a new animal to be celebrated based on zodiac calendars. Here's what to know about the holiday that over 1 billion people celebrate.

New year, new views:Save these dates for the biggest cosmic events coming in 2023

Lion dance is a traditional dance in Chinese and other cultures that is performed during Lunar New Year and cultural and religious festivals. Dancers mimic a lion's movements, and the performance is thought to bring good luck.
Lion dance is a traditional dance in Chinese and other cultures that is performed during Lunar New Year and cultural and religious festivals. Dancers mimic a lion's movements, and the performance is thought to bring good luck.

When is Lunar New Year 2023?

Lunar New Year is an annual 15-day celebration that starts on the second new moon after the winter solstice, according to Time. It ends when the full moon arrives and marks the start of a new year based on the lunisolar calendar.

Lunar New Year 2023 is on Sunday, Jan. 22

What is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations in Eastern and Southeastern Asian cultures. For many people, the holiday is a chance to return home and celebrate with family.

In China, Lunar New Year is known as the Spring Festival, according to History.com. In Korea, it's called Seollal and in Vietnam, it's referred to as Tết.

The holiday started as a way to honor deities and ancestors with feasting and celebration.

What animal is being celebrated this year?

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, which symbolizes luck, grace, beauty and mercy. Last year was the Year of the Tiger.

In the Vietnamese and Gurung zodiac, 2023 is marked by a cat, according to the Smithsonian. In the Malay zodiac, the rabbit is replaced by a mousedeer.

How to celebrate Lunar New Year

Each culture celebrates Lunar New Year differently with special foods and traditions.

Several meals are served around the holiday because they symbolize prosperity and luck. In China, fish and oranges are Lunar New Year staples, Time writes. Sticky rice is also a common ingredient, found in dishes like Vietnam’s bánh chưng and South Korea's tteokguk.

Red is considered a lucky color, and red envelopes containing money are given as gifts in China and Vietnam. Other ways to celebrate include lion dancing, festivals, wearing traditional clothes and playing games.

What's going on in Cincinnati?

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Alliance of Chinese Culture and Arts will host a Lunar New Year celebration at Music Hall on Feb. 4. Uncle Yip's restaurant in Evendale will host an event on Jan. 29 with lion dancing, face painting, music and more.

Find more events and dining specials at asianati.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is Lunar New Year 2023? Everything to know about the holiday