Lunar New Year started Friday ushering in the year of the Ox.
It is called Lunar New Year because it signifies the first new moon in the traditional lunisolar calendars of many east Asian nations, including China, South Korea and Vietnam, which are influenced by the cycles of the moon and the sun.
How's The Lunar New Year Celebrated?
Other than lanterns and dragons, festivities vary depending on the country you are in. With celebrations taking place across the world here are four popular rituals of the Lunar New Year that will start the year right:
Light Up With Bright Colors
In parts of China, where the holiday is known as the Spring Festival, colorful flower displays and fruit trees often brighten up homes and streets - peach and apricot blossoms have a significant meaning for the celebration of Tet in Vietnam. In Korea, birds join these decorations - colorful cranes symbolize longevity while magpies represent good fortune.
Watch A Traditional Dance And Fireworks Display
The belief is the noise of the firecrackers has been used to scare Nian, the lion-like creature that folklore says emerged from the sea for a feast of humans in the New Year.
Nian mythology also plays during lion dances throughout Lunar New Year festivals - one of the popular rituals owing to its role in diaspora celebrations. This lively traditional dance is done outside with drums and cymbals, often as a street march - or in the air, when a flying lion dance takes place.
Share Your Money With Loved Ones
The bright red carries literal riches in the form of red packets offered to children and unmarried adults during the holiday. These red packets are cash rewards that can vary from a few dollars to very significant sums depending on the relationship with the receiver.
Clean 2020's Mess And Splurge On New Threads
In the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, windows are scrubbed, floors are cleaned and furniture is dusted to wipe away last year. But all this cleaning comes to an end on the first day of the year - dusting is avoided on New Year's Day, for fear that good fortune will be swept away.
The Significance Of The Year Of The Ox
Feb. 12 is the first day of the Xin Chou year, or the Year of the Metal Ox in the Lunar New Year cycle.
In an interview with CNN, Hong Kong-based feng shui master Thierry Chow said the ox is a hard-working zodiac sign that represents movement.
