Lunar New Year 2022: Everything to Know About the Holiday
Lunar New Year is one of the biggest international holidays with over 2 billion people across the globe celebrating new beginnings. Although the holiday is commonly known as Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year is celebrated by various Asian countries, regions and cultures with different traditions and customs.
When is Lunar New Year?
The start of the holiday is determined by the lunar calendar -- the cycles of the moon's phases -- and takes place on the new moon between Jan. 31 and Feb. 15. This year, Lunar New Year begins on Feb. 1, 2022 and is the Year of the Tiger.
Who celebrates Lunar New Year?
Lunar New Year celebrations usually take place over multiple days; the length varies for every culture. In China, Lunar New Year is also known as Spring Festival or Chūnjié. South Korea (Seollal), Vietnam (Tết), Mongolia (Tsagaan Sar) and many other Asian countries and regions celebrate the holiday. Lunar New Year is typically celebrated with traditional foods, family gatherings, festivals and ceremonies.
What Does 'Year of the Tiger' Mean?
Every Lunar New Year correlates to one animal and its characteristics from the Chinese zodiac, which is a cycle of 12 years and 12 animals. 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, an animal attributed with courage and leadership. Whether you were born in the year of the rat, ox, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog or pig, according to Reader's Digest, this is the year to be prepared for anything to happen, good or bad, but most importantly don't let the bad take you down with it. If you were born in the year of the Tiger (some previous Tiger years being 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, and 2010), it is said 2022 will be the time to take chances and keep your head up if disaster strikes, great things will happen if you don't give up.
Will there be virtual celebrations this year?
As the world continues to follow safety precautions to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the usual big social gatherings are on hold. However, there are online celebrations for you and the family to virtually enjoy. For example, the Smithsonian American Art Museum is offering a free Lunar New Year Virtual Celebration in partnership with the Chinese Cultural Institute and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America. It will stream video performances and Lunar New Year traditions on Feb. 5.
Check out books to read and movies and shows to stream for Lunar New Year 2022 below.
'Crazy Rich Asians,' starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding and Michelle Yeoh, is based on Kevin Kwan's bestselling rom-com novel. The 2018 movie is the first contemporary Hollywood studio film to feature an all-Asian cast since 'The Joy Luck Club' in 1993. It's satirical, glitzy and over-the-top, while exploring Chinese culture in Singapore.
This action-packed superhero origin story follows Marvel’s first Asian protagonist, Shang-Chi, as he grows up training to be an assassin. He comes of age and attempts to leave behind a life of crime, but the terrorist organization by the name of Ten Rings comes calling, and Shang-Chi finds his father, Wenwu-- AKA The Mandarin-- at the helm of the entire evil operation. It’s jam-packed with new and familiar faces -- including Simu Liu, Awkwafina and Tony Leung Chiu-wai -- joining or reprising their MCU roles.
Frances Cha's page-turning debut novel, 'If I Had Your Face,' tells the story of four Korean women living in modern day Seoul. Their interconnected lives give a riveting glimpse into South Korean society, beauty standards and contemporary culture, while serving as a reminder that with strong female friendships and resilience you can get through anything.
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