![]() ![]() The Chinese zodiac is made up of 12 animals, starting with the rat and running through the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. In Malaysia, for example, the 15th day is known as Chap Goh Mei (15th night) in the Hokkien dialect and is when young, single women throw oranges daubed with their name and contact number into the sea in the hope it will be found by the partner of their dreams. The New Year celebration usually ends with the Lantern Festival although some countries have their own traditions as well. Lunar New Year only became a nationwide public holiday in 2002, four years after Soeharto was toppled. They were forced to give up Chinese-style names and their own language, and not allowed to celebrate the festival openly. ![]() In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, millions of citizens of Chinese descent endured decades of discrimination during former President Soeharto’s repressive rule. Kumquat trees are popular – and auspicious – decorations to mark the Lunar New Year Vietnam also has its own zodiac, which does not include the rabbit, so it will celebrate the arrival the Year of the Cat. Vietnam calls the festival “Tet”, South Korea, “Seollal” and Indonesia, “Imlek”. Many cities around the region will be far quieter than usual. There are also raucous celebrations in Cambodia, even though it is not an official holiday there.īusinesses and government offices will close for seven days of public holidays in China and at least a few days elsewhere. The event is also celebrated in Taiwan, Mongolia, Vietnam and many countries in Southeast Asia – such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. In China, the 15-day celebration is also known as the Spring Festival and is the most important holiday of the year. This year, the celebrations start on January 22. The Lunar New Year, as its name suggests, is based on the cycles of the Moon and falls on a different day each year – usually between late January and the middle of February. Here’s what you need to know: What is the Lunar New Year? Keep reading list of 3 items list 1 of 3 ‘Best thing that happened’: Chinese return home after years apart list 2 of 3 Photos: Lunar New Year rush starts in China list 3 of 3 Madame White Snake: An opera troupe fights eviction in Shanghai end of listīut what is the Lunar New Year and how is it celebrated? ![]()
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