Chinese New Year 2025. Credit: Shutterstock, wasanajai
Wednesday, January 29, 2025, marks the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.
Here’s everything you need to know about this vibrant festivity, including its traditions, zodiac connections, and global celebrations.
Chinese New Year is rooted in the lunisolar calendar, which is based on the moon’s phases and the Earth’s orbit around the sun. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the start date of Chinese New Year varies each year, typically falling between late January and mid-February.
The festivities last 15 days, ending in the Lantern Festival on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, during the full “Snow Moon.” While Chinese New Year is primarily celebrated in China, other countries such as Vietnam, South Korea, and Tibet also hold their own unique versions of this holiday.
Chinese New Year 2025: Year of the Wood Snake
The Chinese zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal. Last year was the year of the Dragon, and this year welcomes the Snake, the sixth animal in the zodiac. Adding to its uniqueness, 2025 is specifically the Year of the Wood Snake, a combination that occurs only once every 60 years.
The Snake is often associated with traits like wisdom, intuition, and charm, while the wood element adds a layer of creativity and adaptability. If you were born in a Year of the Snake (e.g., 1965, 1977, 1989 (my year!), 2001, or 2013), this year might hold special significance for you.
How the Chinese New Year is celebrated
In China, New Year celebrations involve family reunions, extravagant feasts, and cultural performances. One particularly unique tradition is enjoying snake soup, a delicacy believed to warm the body during winter. I’ll pass, thanks!
In Hong Kong, traditional snake soup restaurants like Shia Wong Hip continue to keep this culinary art alive. The soup, made from shredded snake meat, chicken, and pork bones, is said to be rich in protein and a perfect dish for the colder months.
In Indonesia, New Year festivities have already begun, with crowds gathering to watch puppet shows. As part of the tradition, red envelopes filled with money are placed into the puppet’s mouth.
How to find your Chinese zodiac animal
| Zodiac Animal | Years | Key Traits |
| Rat | 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 | Quick-witted, resourceful, kind |
| Ox | 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 | Diligent, dependable, strong, determined |
| Tiger | 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022 | Brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable |
| Rabbit | 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023 | Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible |
| Dragon | 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024 | Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic |
| Snake | 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025 | Intelligent, wise, enigmatic |
| Horse | 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026 | Animated, active, energetic |
| Goat | 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027 | Calm, gentle, sympathetic |
| Monkey | 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028 | Sharp, smart, curious |
| Rooster | 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029 | Observant, hardworking, courageous |
| Dog | 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 | Lovely, honest, prudent |
| Pig | 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031 | Compassionate, generous, diligent |
Interesting Chinese zodiac facts
The Chinese zodiac is connected to Jupiter’s orbit, as the planet takes roughly 12 years to circle the sun. In 2025, Jupiter will spend most of the year in the constellation Taurus, which aligns with the Year of the Snake.
Each zodiac sign rotates through five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water), forming a unique 60-year cycle. The last Year of the Wood Snake was in 1965.
How to say Happy New Year in Chinese
Want to impress your friends? Here’s how to wish someone a happy new year:
- Mandarin: 春节快乐 (Chūn Jié Kuài Lè) – “Happy Spring Festival”
- Cantonese: 恭喜发财 (Gong Hei Fat Choi) – “May you be happy and prosperous”
View all articles by Letara Draghia.
