Lunar New Year With KOISS
29th Jan, 2025
The History of Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is a time-honoured celebration marking the beginning of the lunar calendar. Originating in China over 4,000 years ago, it symbolises the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Families gather to honour ancestors, feast on traditional dishes, and welcome a new year of prosperity and health. Each year is represented by one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, and 2025 ushers in the Year of the Snake—a sign of wisdom, intuition, and transformation.
Sydney Chinatown
Chinese people have been living in Sydney's Chinatown in Haymarket since the late 19 century. It is now one of the most popular cultural precincts and tourist destinations in NSW.
Lunar Calendar
The date of the Lunar New Year is determined by the lunar calendar. The holiday falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice on December 21. Each year the New Year in China falls on a different date than on the Gregorian calendar. The dates usually range sometime between January 21 and February 20.
Spring Festival
Even though it is winter, the Lunar New Year is popularly known as the Spring Festival in China. Because it starts from the Beginning of Spring (the first of the twenty-four terms in coordination with the changes of Nature), it marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
The Spring Festival marks a new year on the lunar calendar and represents the desire for a new life.
The Mythical Beast Nian
Lunar New Year is steeped with stories and myths. One of the most popular legends is about the mythical beast Nian (Year). He ate livestock, crops, and even people on the eve of a new year.
To prevent Nian from attacking people and causing destruction, people put food at their doors for Nian.
It’s said that a wise old man figured out that Nian was scared of loud noises (firecrackers) and the color red. So, people put red lanterns and red scrolls on their windows and doors to stop Nian from coming inside. Crackling bamboo (later replaced by firecrackers) was lit to scare Nian away.
