Travel photography of the Chinese New Year
The largest Lunar New Year parade outside of Asia is usually held in Chinatown in Manhattan, New York.
This weekend, more than 1 billion people in China and millions around the world will begin to return home to celebrate the Lunar New Year. And in 2024 it is February 10. The start of the holiday coincides with the date of the New Moon, which will fall on February 9, 2024 at 22:59 UTC. So the crescent moon will appear on February 10 at 6:59 a.m. EDT. The time is 5:59 p.m. New York time on February 9. Lunar New Year is a day to worship gods and ancestors and reunite with family. An animal represents each year in the Chinese zodiac. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon.
The Year of the Rabbit will end on February 9, 2024. Then the Year of the Dragon will begin on February 10, 2024. Next is the Year of the Snake, which begins on January 29, 2025.
In China, the Gregorian calendar that we are familiar with is used in everyday life. But dates on the Chinese calendar are still used to mark traditional festivals, such as the New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Chinese astrology then uses the lunar calendar to determine favorable dates for weddings and other special events.
In other words, the Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which is a combination of the solar and lunar calendars. In addition, it has a rich history, spanning several Chinese dynasties, dating back to the Shang Dynasty in the 14th century BC. In addition, there are several different symbolic cycles in the calendar used in Chinese astrology.
So the Chinese calendar is an intricate method of measuring time.
A month in the Chinese calendar spans a lunar cycle. In fact, the first day of each month begins during the New Moon, when no sunlight reaches the lunar hemisphere facing the Earth. So, the moon phase lasts an average of 295 days.
A lunar month can last for 29 or 30 days. As a result, the Chinese calendar usually has 12 lunar months. To catch up with an average of 365 per yearThe 25-day solar calendar, the Chinese calendar, adds an extra month every two or three years. As a result, the Lunar New Year falls on a different date between January 21 and February 21 every year (Gregorian calendar).
One of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig) represents each year of the Chinese lunar calendar. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon.
The dragon is actually a fictional animal and the only one in the zodiac, which consists of 9 animals including the body of a snake, the horns of a deer, the head of a cow, the mouth of a crocodile, the talons of an eagle, and the scales of a fish. Dragons have a high reputation in Chinese culture and have represented auspiciousness and imperial power since ancient times.
The Chinese considered themselves descendants of the Chinese dragon, and the emperor also called himself "dragon". It is a symbol of authority, dignity, honor, success, luck, and ability.
From the first day of the Lunar New Year (the day of the new moon) to the fifteenth day (the next full moon), Lunar New Year celebrations abound. What's more, each day has a special meaning that varies according to local traditions. But first, before the arrival of the New Year, people clean their houses thoroughly to sweep away bad luck and welcome good luck. Then, on Chinese New Year's Eve, families traditionally gather to celebrate and enjoy a sumptuous traditional meal. Finally, at midnight, they greet the New Year with fireworks.
In the days that followed, the festivities included a wide variety of festivities. For example, there are dance parades featuring colorful dragons or colored lions. Or there are rituals to pay homage to the gods and ancestors. In addition, the children receive red envelopes and exchange gifts. Extended family members come from afar to visit each other.
Traditionally, the celebration of the Lunar New Year culminates in the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month. On this full moon night, families walk down the street with lanterns, often creating a beautiful light show.
There are several variations of the myth behind the Lunar New Year celebrations. Most of the stories are about an ugly, bloodthirsty monster "Nian". This monster will appear on the last night of the year, destroying villages and eating people. A wise elder advises the villagers to scare the monsters away with loud noises. That night, they lit bamboo, lit fireworks, and beat drums. Therefore, the monster, afraid of noise and lights, ran to its cave and hid.
In another version of this myth, an old man convinces the Nian Beast to turn its anger on other monsters instead of villagers. Before seeing him ride away on the Nian Beast, the old man, who was actually a god, suggested that people hang red paper decorations in their homes and set off firecrackers on the last night of the year to drive away the Nian Beast.
Then on the first day of the new year, the villagers celebrate, greeting each other with the word "New Year", which means "to live the New Year". This tradition continues to this day, and now New Year's Eve means "celebrating the New Year".
Historically, the Lunar New Year marked the arrival of the world's largest annual human migration.
This year's Lunar New Year falls on February 10, 2024 (in Asia). This day coincides with the day of the New Moon and marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon.
What are your fun and interesting customs for the New Year? Welcome to leave a message to share.