We all associate January 1st with being the New Year, but in other cultures, the new year happens at separate times and in some cases, it is a prolonged celebration lasting numerous days. This year, the Chinese New Year is celebrated this Friday, February 12th. The celebration lasts from the first Lunar Calendar until the 15^th of the first month. On the last day, the festivities are wrapped up with the Lantern Festival (called Yuan Xiao), “which celebrates family reunions and society. The many activities include moon gazing, lighting lanterns, riddles, lion dances and eating rice balls.”

The most important part of the festival is the lighting of the lanterns. As time went on, many variations of the lanterns have been created. The lanterns represent anything from hope, happiness, and success. In past times, people would write riddles and poetry on the lanterns, requiring lots of creativity. There are so many traditions that make the Chinese New Year what it is, to learn more about The Chinese New Year click here.