With its auspicious red and gold hues, costumed parades, family meals, firecrackers and fireworks, Chinese New Year has for millennia been one of the most festive traditional times of the year in China and in all regions of the diaspora. Following the lunisolar calendar, its dates vary, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which begins on December 31. This year, the festivities began on January 29 and will continue until February 12.
It’s not for nothing that the Middle Kingdom invented gunpowder and its recreational version, fireworks, back in the 7th century (Tang dynasty).
For this Lunar New Year, almost 3 billion people will once again be crossing China to return to their hometowns and visit their families, to the extent that many commentators describe the period as “ the world’s largest annual human migration ”, in a country with 1.4 billion inhabitants (18.4% of the world’s population). And this year, the country that remains the world’s largest producer and consumer of automobiles, expects an inflation in the number of car journeys over the period (7.2 billion).
A privileged moment for millions of people, especially workers, to be reunited with their families, these celebrations are particularly important in China and throughout South-East Asia, from Thailand to Singapore, via Korea and Malaysia.
This Chinese New Year, or “Tet Festival” in Vietnam, under the sign of the wooden snake, coincides with the beginning of the second new moon following the winter solstice.
Also known as the “Spring Festival ” (Chūnjié), these festivities, which have their origins in agriculture, this year include 8 official public holidays (from Tuesday January 28 to Tuesday February 04, 2025). However, the celebrations can be extended to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, marking the Lantern Festival, i.e. February 12, 2025.
In addition to the New Year, and in order to boost the country’s economy weakened by mass youth unemployment and an unprecedented real estate crisis, the Chinese government has decided to grant two extra days of annual vacation this month, bringing the total to 13, with New Year’s vacations starting one day earlier this year than ever before!
As for the history of Chinese New Year, it’s rooted in the tradition of agricultural festivals, with many myths and legends about the struggle between good and evil.
A legendary but fearful monster
The beginning of the Chinese New Year is Nian.
While the word now means “year”, it has long been the name ofa legendary monster.
With the head of a lion and the body of a bull – some legends even mention a fabulous horned animal – the beast used to descend from its mountain once a winter to devour the children and cattle around it.
Appearing only at nightfall and departing at first light, the villagers began to understand the beast’s habits and better prepare for its arrival. To give themselves courage for the famous night of vigil, they didn’t hesitate to organize big dinner parties by lantern light, barricaded in their homes.
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