It is really hard to explain to friends here in the U.S.A. the significance of the Lunar New Year. Depending on the person’s interest is how I approach it. For some, I use the “horoscope approach” such as your future tied to this year being the year of the rabbit and being an Aries or Sagittarius. Others, I highlight the scientific and astrology aspect. For the rest I highlight the many countries and regions that celebrate the Lunar New Year.

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Lunar New Year is the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar or lunisolar calendar. The lunar calendars follows the lunar phase while lunisolar calendars follow both the lunar phase and the time of the solar year. The event is celebrated by numerous cultures in various ways at diverse dates.

The more well-known celebrations include New Year’s Day (or week) in the Chinese calendar and Tibetan calendar of East Asia; the Buddhist and Hindu calendars of Southeast and South Asia; the Islamic calendar and the Jewish calendar that originated in the Middle East; and the Nisga’a calendar from Canada. The determination of the first month of a new lunar year varies by culture.

Wikipedia

Growing up on Guam allowed me to have a wide variety of friends. Yes, in the Philippines the Lunar New Year recognized and celebrated but that is not the only reason I looked forward to this day. My friends came from South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, etc. and for their families there was also some level of celebration. Lets not forget the wonderful meals to be had on that day AND the red envelopes (if you don’t know about this, your lucked out just a little in your childhood).

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Whether you are follow the Chinese, Tibetan, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, or Nisga calendar or you follow the modern calendar yet still hold on to past generations traditions….We wish you a Happy New Year!!!

Depending on the culture or region, the number of days celebrated for the Lunar New Year varies but the Lunar New Year is Saturday February 10,2024.