The Chinese New Year festivities hold a particular allure in 2024 as, for the first time since 1964, it will be governed by the symbol of the wooden dragon. According to Chinese tradition, each year corresponds to one of the 12 distinct animals in the Chinese zodiac, accompanied by one of the universe’s five fundamental elements. The Year of the Wooden Dragon commences on February 10th with the emergence of the second moon following the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. From that point forward, for a span of 15 days until the subsequent full moon, millions will come together with their families to mark the onset of a new lunar year, both within China and across the globe.
Every lunar year is symbolized by one of the animals in the Chinese zodiac (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig), each associated with one of the five fundamental elements of the universe: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. These elements undergo a cycle every 12 years, repeating over time. The transition from the Year of the Water Rabbit to the Year of the Wooden Dragon in 2024 is a phenomenon that previously occurred in 1964, with prior instances happening at 60-year intervals.
Individuals born under a specific element associated with a particular animal are believed to possess distinctive characteristics and personality traits that will shape their lives. In Chinese culture, the dragon, the fifth animal in the zodiac, symbolizes good fortune, strength, health, and the masculine yang element.
Renowned figures born in a year of the wooden dragon include Chinese Communist leader Deng Xiaoping (August 22, 1904); Jack Ma, co-founder of the Alibaba Group, a global e-commerce conglomerate (September 10, 1964); the acclaimed artist Salvador Dalí, known for his surrealistic works (May 11, 1904); and the actor Keanu Reeves (September 2, 1964).
The Chinese New Year celebrations, commonly referred to as the Spring Festival in China, signal the transition from winter to spring. It ranks among the country’s four most significant traditional festivals, marking the start of a new year on the Chinese lunar calendar. When specifically addressing New Year events that honor Chinese customs and culture, it may be designated as the Chinese New Year. However, multiple East and Southeast Asian nations also observe the same event, with festivities varying across different cultures and regions.
The term Lunar New Year encompasses all celebrations marking the advent of a new year according to a lunar calendar, making it a broader concept than Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. Nonetheless, some critics in China argue that the festival’s origins lie in the Chinese calendar (based on lunar and solar cycles) and China’s historical influence in neighboring countries, which may lead to controversy over terminology.
In 2024, more than 1.5 billion individuals worldwide will partake in Lunar New Year celebrations, making it the world’s largest annual human migration period. It serves as a time for millions to travel on the eve of the New Year to reunite with family or friends. In Vietnam, it is known as Tet Nguyen Dan, or Tet for short, translating to the Festival of the First Morning of the First Day. North and South Korea celebrate it as Seollal, while in Mongolia, it is known as Tsagaan sar, with some referring to it as the White Moon festival.
Leading up to the festivities, Chinese families often engage in thorough household cleaning, symbolizing the removal of misfortune from the previous year and preparing for the arrival of good luck. Families and friends gather to enjoy various traditional dishes, including noodles, dumplings, and fish, believed to bring prosperity for the coming year. The celebration also features fireworks displays, traditional attire, and the exchange of red envelopes containing money, symbolizing well wishes and luck for the new year ahead.
