Lunar New Year 2025 is here. Millions worldwide are celebrating the Year of the Wood Snake with fireworks, red envelopes and family gatherings.
People in China, Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries with large Asian communities observe the holiday, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. In the U.S., cities like San Francisco and New York have also embraced the festivities.
Unlike the Gregorian New Year, Lunar New Year follows the lunar calendar. It begins on the first new moon and lasts 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
Each Lunar New Year is associated with an animal from the Chinese zodiac. The system follows a 12-year cycle, and 2025 marks the return of the Snake.
In addition to the animal sign, each year also has an element –– wood, fire, earth, metal or water. This year’s combination, the Wood Snake, is linked to strategy, transformation and intuition.
Some view the Year of the Wood Snake as a time for growth and renewal, like a snake shedding its skin. Others believe it may bring challenges.
According to Hong Kong-based feng shui consultant Thierry Chow, this zodiac sign can bring conflicts and unpredictability. In an interview with CNN, Chow said, “The snake is a zodiac sign that can cause significant clashes and conflicts. We need to be mindful of accidents as we approach the Snake Year. The overall atmosphere in the world will become slightly more chaotic.”
Lunar New Year traditions vary by country
While Lunar New Year originated in China, different cultures celebrate in unique ways.
- China: Families exchange red envelopes, or hongbao, filled with money to bring luck.
- Vietnam (Tết): Homes are decorated with peach blossoms, and families gather to honor ancestors.
- The Philippines: Families celebrate Media Noche, a midnight feast meant to bring prosperity.
San Francisco welcomed Lunar New Year this year with a firecracker display featuring 10,000 explosions. Meanwhile, New York became the first state in the U.S. to close schools for the holiday, marking a historic moment for Asian American recognition.