Welcome to the year of the snake, 2025.
No, we aren’t talking about the abundance of Bungendore snake sightings – we are celebrating the Lunar New Year!
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most significant cultural celebrations in many East Asian countries. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year and typically falls between January 21 and February 20.
The festival is celebrated with vibrant traditions that vary by region but often include family reunions, feasts, and various cultural performances. The celebrations last for about 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival.
Central to the Lunar New Year is the idea of renewal and the hope for good fortune in the coming year. Families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away any bad luck from the previous year and to make way for incoming good luck.
Decorating homes with red lanterns, couplets, and other auspicious symbols is common, as red is believed to ward off evil spirits.
Traditional foods, such as dumplings, fish, and rice cakes, are enjoyed, each symbolizing prosperity, abundance, and unity.
Festivities often include vibrant parades featuring lion and dragon dances, which are performed to bring good luck and scare away evil spirits. Fireworks are also a prominent feature, believed to ward off misfortune.
In addition, many people honour their ancestors by visiting graves and offering food and incense.
Overall, Lunar New Year is a time for reflection, joy, and the strengthening of family bonds, making it a cherished occasion for
millions around the world.
