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.
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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.
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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.
[KENNEDY FELTON]
It’s time to break out the red envelopes and fireworks… because Lunar New Year is here. This year—we’re slithering into the Year of the Snake.
Lunar New Year—also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year—is celebrated in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and here in the U.S. by members of various Asian communities. It started Wednesday, but the date changes every year because it follows the lunar calendar. It kicks off on the first new moon of the year and lasts 15 days, ending with the Lantern Festival.
The festival symbolizes fresh starts, community, and hopes for prosperity in the new year. It’s accompanied by a zodiac—hence this year being the Year of the Snake.
The Chinese zodiac runs on a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with a different animal. This system has been followed for centuries and is based on the traditional lunar calendar.
Each zodiac year is also linked to one of five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, or water.
This year’s Snake has a few different interpretations. Some see it as a time of power and progress, while others view it as a chance to shed old habits and negative energy—just like a snake sheds its skin. Snakes are known for their sharp intuition and strategic mindset, and some can also interpret this as a year of learning when to be patient and when to take bold steps forward.
“[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.” – Hong Kong-based feng shui consultant Thierry Chow tells CNN
While Lunar New Year originated in China, every country has its own unique traditions. In China, families exchange red envelopes filled with money for good luck. In Vietnam, homes are decorated with peach blossoms to bring good fortune. In the Philippines, families celebrate with Media Noche—a feast held at midnight.
In San Francisco, 10,000 firecrackers were lit during the city’s annual parade. And in New York, schools closed for the holiday for the first time—a historic moment of recognition of Lunar New Year in the U.S.
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