Lunar New Year vs. Chinese New Year: What’s the Difference?

The start of the new year is a time of great celebration around the world. However, not all new years are celebrated on the same date or in the same way. In many Asian countries, Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, is one of the most important holidays. But are they the same? And why do these celebrations differ from those in the Western world?

This blog will explore the cultural, historical, and ceremonial aspects of Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year. It will help you understand their unique meanings, differences, and the celebrations surrounding them.

Lunar New Year VS Chinese New Year

The terms “Lunar New Year” and “Chinese New Year” are often used interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. The Lunar New Year refers to the first day of the new year according to the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar. It is celebrated in multiple countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, and China. However, the traditions and customs vary across regions.

Chinese New Year is a specific celebration tied to Chinese culture. It follows the Chinese lunisolar calendar, which blends both lunar and solar cycles. As such, it’s often referred to as the Spring Festival in Mainland China and Chinese communities worldwide.

While Lunar New Year encompasses a broader range of cultures and countries, Chinese New Year refers to the specific practices associated with Chinese New Year celebrations in particular. Despite their differences, both mark a time for renewal, family gatherings, and honoring ancestors, often with similar rituals and traditions.

What is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar, which follows the cycles of the moon. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days, and thus, the exact date of the Lunar New Year can vary each year, typically falling between late January and February, with the second new moon after the winter solstice signaling the start of the new year.

In the northern hemisphere, the Lunar New Year is associated with the renewal of life and the arrival of spring. It also marks a time of reflection and celebration, with many Asian cultures partaking in Lunar New Year celebrations that focus on family, good fortune, and new beginnings.

The Lunar New Year is not only celebrated in China but across multiple Asian countries like Vietnam, where it’s called Tết, and in South Korea, where it’s known as Seollal. These nations follow similar traditions and practices, though they each have their own unique customs.

What is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year specifically refers to the Spring Festival celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. It is one of the most significant Chinese festivals, deeply rooted in Chinese culture. The festival is celebrated on the first day of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, which means it can fall anywhere between late January and early February on the Gregorian calendar.

During this period, Chinese people engage in various activities to usher in good fortune and newly arrived good luck for the coming year. Common practices include reunion dinners, setting off fireworks, performing lion dances, and decorating homes with red paper and spring festival couplets.

Chinese New Year celebrations last for about 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival. The Chinese zodiac plays a major role in the celebrations, with each year being associated with one of the 12 animal signs, such as the Year of the Snake, Year of the Dragon, and so on.

Differences Between Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year

Among all lunar-based calendars, the new year generally falls on the first day of the first lunar month. The Chinese calendar is also lunar-based (at least in part for the reckoning), which means the Chinese New Year is a Lunar New Year.

However, the Chinese calendar is not the only lunar-based calendar; other cultures with similar lunar systems also have their own Lunar New Year celebrations, which may coincide with China’s New Year.

Some people argue that Chinese New Year should be used exclusively and not Lunar New Year, as using the latter may be seen as “denying” the holiday, potentially diminishing Chinese culture. Therefore, caution is advised when choosing the term.

Generally, Spring Festival is a direct translation of 春节, but it can also be rendered as Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year, the latter referring specifically to the lunar-based New Year.

China’s traditional calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The 24 solar terms are based on the sun’s position, while the date of the Spring Festival follows the lunar cycle, based on the moon’s phases. Therefore, Lunar New Year is a suitable translation for 农历新年 (the Lunar New Year).

Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year offer two different perspectives:

• Chinese New Year emphasizes country, region, and culture, specifically referring to the New Year celebration in China;
• Lunar New Year, on the other hand, focuses on the lunar calendar and, from an astronomical standpoint, refers to the New Year based on the moon’s cycle.

Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year Controversies

In fact, many people who use the term Lunar New Year do not necessarily intend to “diminish” Chinese culture. They may simply want to acknowledge the celebrations of other countries and regions that also observe the Lunar New Year.

In recent years, besides China, many other Asian countries influenced by Chinese culture, as well as regions outside Asia, have also started celebrating the Spring Festival.

With the growing global influence of China and Chinese culture, Lunar New Year has become a term that refers to a worldwide celebration. It is no longer confined to a specific country but celebrates a common tradition across the globe.

What is the Chinese Zodiac?

The Chinese Zodiac consists of twelve animal signs, each representing a year in a twelve-year cycle. These animals – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig – are integral to Chinese culture. They are believed to influence a person’s personality and fate.

Every year is linked to a specific animal, which shapes the general mood and characteristics of that year’s events and celebrations.

The origin of the Chinese Zodiac comes from a popular legend involving the Jade Emperor. He organized a race, inviting all the animals to compete for a spot in the zodiac. The first twelve animals to reach the finish line would secure their place in the cycle.

What Does Year of the Snake Mean?

For 2025, the animal sign will be the Snake, or Year of the Snake. In Chinese mythology, the Snake symbolizes wisdom, intuition, and transformation. People born under this sign are often seen as clever, elegant, and insightful. However, they may also be considered mysterious or reserved.

The Chinese Zodiac shapes personal traits and carries cultural and astrological significance. It offers unique opportunities and challenges each year for those born under its influence.

How Do People Celebrate Chinese and Lunar New Year?

Both Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year celebrations are rich in tradition and cultural significance. They are marked by family reunions, festive meals, and various rituals aimed at welcoming good luck and driving away bad fortune. These celebrations are not just a time for festivities but also an opportunity for families to unite and honor their heritage. Here’s a closer look at some common practices:

Reunion Dinner

The Reunion Dinner, held on Chinese New Year’s Eve, is one of the most important aspects of the celebration. Families make a concerted effort to gather, often traveling long distances to be together.

The meal typically includes a variety of symbolic dishes, such as year cake (a sticky rice cake), which represents progress and growth. Dumplings shaped like ancient gold ingots symbolize wealth, while fish represent abundance and surplus for the year ahead.

This meal serves as a way to strengthen family bonds and reflect on the past year while looking forward to the new one.

Red Envelopes

Known as hongbao in Mandarin, red envelopes filled with money are a customary gift given to children and unmarried adults. The red color of the envelope is significant, as it symbolizes happiness, good luck, and prosperity.

The amount of money inside is often an even number, as odd numbers are typically associated with funerals. This tradition not only conveys good wishes but also fosters a sense of community and connection among family members, as recipients express their gratitude and well-wishes in return.

Lion and Dragon Dances

These vibrant and energetic performances are staples of the Chinese New Year festival. The lion dance, performed by skilled dancers mimicking the movements of a lion, is believed to bring good fortune and drive away evil spirits. Similarly, dragon dances, featuring a long, colorful dragon puppet manipulated by multiple dancers, are performed to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

Both dances often take place during public festivities and parades, creating a festive atmosphere filled with music, drums, and cheers from the audience.

Fireworks

Fireworks are a key part of Lunar New Year celebrations, particularly in Mainland China and other regions. They are set off to scare away evil spirits and bad luck, creating a lively and jubilant environment. The loud sounds and bright colors of the fireworks signify joy and festivity, marking the transition into the new year.

In many places, the countdown to midnight is accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display, adding to the excitement of the celebration.

Spring Festival Couplets

These decorative red paper couplets, inscribed with auspicious Chinese characters, are often hung on doors and windows to convey good wishes for the year ahead. The couplets often convey messages of prosperity, happiness, and good fortune.

Families take pride in selecting or creating couplets that reflect their hopes and aspirations for the coming year. These couplets become an integral part of the festive decorations, contributing to the celebratory atmosphere.

In summary, the celebrations for Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year include a wide array of customs and traditions. These reflect cultural values, family ties, and the hope for a prosperous year ahead. Each practice, from the reunion dinner to the vibrant performances, plays a vital role in creating a meaningful and joyous experience for both individuals and families.

How Lunar New Year Is Celebrated Around Asia

Lunar New Year, known as Spring Festival in China, is celebrated with various traditions across Asia, each country adding its unique cultural twist. While the core celebrations—family reunions, feasts, and honoring ancestors—remain similar, the way it’s observed can vary greatly. Here’s a look at how different Asian countries celebrate this important holiday.

1. China

In China, Lunar New Year is the most significant holiday of the year. The celebrations start with a thorough house cleaning to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune. Red decorations, such as spring festival couplets and red envelopes (filled with money) for children, are widely used to attract good luck and ward off evil spirits.

On New Year’s Eve, families gather for a reunion dinner, featuring special dishes like dumplings, fish, and year cake. Fireworks and lion dances mark the start of the new year, with festivities lasting for 15 days until the Lantern Festival. In northern china, dumplings are the traditional food, while in the south, sweet rice balls (tangyuan) are more popular.

2. South Korea

In South Korea, Lunar New Year is celebrated as Seollal. It is a time for family gatherings and paying respects to ancestors. Charye, the ceremonial rites to honor the family’s ancestors, is a significant part of Seollal. The family sets up a table filled with traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice cake soup), which symbolizes the gaining of a year in age.

Younger members of the family often perform a traditional bow called sebae, offering respect to elders in exchange for sebaetdon (money or gifts). Seollal is also a time for traditional games, such as yutnori (a board game), and wearing hanbok, traditional Korean clothing.

3. Vietnam

In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is known as Tết Nguyên Đán and is the most important holiday of the year. Similar to China, people clean their homes to rid them of bad luck and decorate with peach blossoms and kumquat trees. The holiday is a time for family reunions, where people travel long distances to be with their loved ones.

The first day of Tết is spent visiting the elders and ancestors’ graves. Traditional foods like bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake) and pickled onions are enjoyed. Tết is also marked by fireworks, dragon dances, and a Tết market where people buy new clothes, food, and decorations.

4. Singapore

In Singapore, Lunar New Year is a public holiday celebrated by people of Chinese, Malay, and Indian descent. The celebrations are marked by family gatherings, visiting friends, and the exchange of red envelopes. The iconic Chinatown area transforms into a hub of activity, with street decorations, lantern displays, and a bustling New Year market.

The Chingay Parade is a major event showcasing vibrant floats, performances, and lion dances. Singaporeans also enjoy special dishes like prosperity toss (yusheng), a salad symbolizing good luck, and bak kwa (barbecued pork).

5. Malaysia

In Malaysia, the Lunar New Year is celebrated with enthusiasm, especially in areas with large Chinese communities. The celebrations are similar to those in Singapore, with family reunions, visits to friends, and the exchange of red envelopes. Lion dances and firecrackers are part of the festive activities, and the streets of cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang are filled with decorations.

Traditional foods like nian gao, mandarin oranges, and siew pao (baked buns) are enjoyed. On the second day of the new year, married women often visit their parents. There is also a custom of open houses, where people invite friends and relatives to their homes for food and celebration.

Across Asia, Lunar New Year is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and celebrating good fortune. While the specific traditions may vary, the spirit of renewal, prosperity, and joy remains a central theme throughout the region.

Conclusion

Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year are terms often used interchangeably, but they hold distinct cultural and historical meanings. Chinese New Year specifically refers to the celebration of the Spring Festival in China, rooted in Chinese culture and traditions. In contrast, Lunar New Year is a broader term that applies to celebrations across various countries and cultures that follow the lunar calendar.

If you’re interested in exploring Chinese culture, from its rich history to the fascinating customs of the Lunar New Year, why not take the next step? Join our online Chinese classes to learn Mandarin and explore the traditions and celebrations that make Chinese culture vibrant and unique. Join us and start your journey into the world of Chinese culture today!

FAQs

Q1: Is Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year the same?

Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. Lunar New Year refers to the broader celebration of the new year based on the lunar calendar. It is observed by various cultures across Asia, including Vietnamese, Korean, and Mongolian communities.

Chinese New Year, on the other hand, specifically refers to the traditions and customs celebrated by the Chinese population. It includes unique practices such as family reunions and traditional foods.

Q2: Is it offensive to say Chinese New Year instead of Lunar New Year?

Using “Chinese New Year” instead of “Lunar New Year” is not inherently offensive. However, it can be seen as excluding the diverse cultures that also celebrate the lunar calendar.

Many people, especially within the Chinese community, identify with the term “Chinese New Year.” However, others may prefer “Lunar New Year” to recognize the wider range of celebrations across different cultures. It’s best to be mindful of context and audience when using these terms.

Q3: Why is Chinese New Year different in the UK?

Chinese New Year celebrations in the UK often reflect the local cultural context and are influenced by the Chinese diaspora. Traditional customs, such as family gatherings and special meals, are still maintained. In cities like London, public celebrations may include large parades, street festivals, and performances. These events showcase a blend of Chinese heritage and British culture.

The scale and nature of the celebrations may vary based on the size and engagement of the local community. This makes the UK experience unique, especially compared to countries with larger Chinese populations.