Lunar New Year 2024: The Year of the Dragon
The Lunar New Year is an important holiday celebrated by many Asian cultural traditions and is aligned with the lunar-solar Chinese calendar. This year, the Lunar New Year falls on February 10th, 2024 and extends for 15 days between the first new moon and first full moon of the lunar cycle. Celebrations are meant to usher in new beginnings and renew good health, happiness and fortune.
The Chinese Zodiac has 12 animals that each carry their own characteristics and are associated with the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water). These 12 animals coincide with the lunar calendar and follow a 12-year cycle. It is believed that the year ahead will be characterized by the qualities of its corresponding animal and element.
2024 IS THE YEAR OF THE WOOD DRAGON - THE FIFTH AND ONLY MYTHICAL ANIMAL SIGN IN THE CHINESE ZODIAC CYCLE.
In the myth of the zodiac cycle, it is said that while the Dragon could have soared effortlessly over the river leading to the Emperor’s palace, the kindly creature noticed the difficulties of other animals in their quest, and turned back to aid them. Since the Dragon had a clear advantage by way of flight, the curious Emperor asked why they had not been the first to cross. The Dragon explained their intentions and the Emperor, touched by their generosity, honored the Dragon with the fifth placement of the zodiac cycle.
IN CHINESE CULTURE, THE DRAGON SYMBOLIZES:
Wisdom
Authority
Ambition
Creativity
Prosperity
Nobility
Health & Protection
As such, it is predicted that 2024 will be a year that brings abundance, charity, generosity and the cultivation of the wisdom we’ve acquired over the past few years – all characteristics embodied by the dragon. Aided by the tenacity of the Wood element, the coming Dragon year looks to be one focused on achievement and positive growth.
IN CHINESE CULTURE, THE LUNAR NEW YEAR INVOLVES MANY WONDERFUL TRADITIONS THAT ARE BELIEVED TO BRING GOOD LUCK:
Decorating with red colors (paper cuttings, lanterns, flowers). Red is an auspicious color believed to bring prosperity and energy while warding off evil spirits and negativity.
Cleaning the home before New Year’s Day sweeps away bad luck from the previous year and makes way for good luck in the next.
Lion and dragon dances during Lunar New Year festivities are believed to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year.
Gifting red envelopes filled with money
Enjoying tea, fruits, sweets and purchasing new clothes and home supplies
Eating dumplings (the shape resembles ingots, the pieces of gold used as money during ancient times)
Long noodles (aka longevity noodles) - the longer the noodle you eat, the longer you’ll live
Oranges (given as gifts) are believed to bring riches into your life. The fruit’s gold color symbolizes prosperity
As such, the Lunar New Year is a great opportunity to welcome in new prosperity, opportunity and luck. With the lessons we learned from the Water Rabbit (2023), the Wood Dragon signifies a hopeful next chapter that embraces the importance of cultivation and putting our plans into action.
