Lunar New Year 2025: The Year of the Snake
January 29, 2025 marks the first new moon on the lunar calendar and the start of the Year of the Snake – specifically the Wood Snake. Lunar New Year starts each year on the second new moon after the winter solstice. New Year is known by many names: The Spring Festival in China, Seollal in Korea, Tsaagan Sar in Mongolia, Tết in Vietnam, and is observed by many communities worldwide. This year, the 60-year Chinese zodiac cycle is associated with one of five elements: wood. The zodiac elements repeat every 12 years, while the animals repeat every 10 years. The wood element is associated with creativity and imagination.
Traditionally, prior to the new year, houses are cleaned to remove any bad luck that might be lingering inside. Sweeping during the new year celebration is taboo, as it symbolizes sweeping away luck, so once the new year festival begins, cleaning cannot continue. Celebrations involve family gatherings, religious ceremonies to honor ancestors, and exchanging red envelopes that contain “lucky money.” Offerings may be made to temples. The symbolic darkness of night is banished by the light of fireworks, lanterns, and candles. Festivities include dragon dances and festival parades with music and acrobatics. The celebrations continue for about two weeks, culminating in the Lantern Festival on the last day which is February 12 this year.
Traditional Lunar New Year foods include long noodles, symbolizing long life, and dumplings, symbolizing good luck and wealth. Families eat them as the clock strikes midnight.
San Jose is home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam and many local Lunar New Year traditions reference Tết, in particular. This makes our community distinct from other cities around the world. Bánh chưng and bánh tét are popular foods primarily made during Tết, and are often placed on family altars to honor ancestors.
On January 23, SCU celebrated Lunar New Year on campus. View The Santa Clara’s coverage of the event, and mark your calendars to attend next year.
There are many local, Bay Area celebrations to welcome the New Year, and ways to engage asynchronously:
Celebrate SCU’s Global Community:
