Cultural Celebrations

Lunar New Year 2024

The Lunar New Year marks the beginning of spring and the transition between the zodiac signs.

This year (2024) is Year of the Wood Dragon, while 2023 was the Year of the Wood Rabbit. 

What is the Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is one of the most important holidays in China, and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea and Vietnam.

The lunisolar calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar (the calendar we use in Australia) in that it is dependent on the cycle of full moons. This means that each year, the date of the New Year changes, rotating between days across January and February. 

What is the Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese zodiac calendar is a repeating cycle of 12 years, originating from astrology and the 12 full moons in a traditional year. Each year within the cycle is represented by an animal and its reputed attributes.

There are also five elements within the Chinese Zodiac to consider, which turn the 12-year cycle into a 60-year cycle of time keeping. 

These five elements are: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. 

When is Lunar New Year 2024?

Lunar New Year 2024 falls on Saturday 10th February, 2024, and celebrations culminate with the the Lantern Festival on February 24th, 2024.

How Long is the Lunar New Year?

Celebrations last up to 16 days, culminating with the Lantern Festival, or Shangyuan Festival, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month after the New Year. 

For further information, see the following website: https://chinesenewyear.net/