Chinese communities around the world celebrate Chinese New Year with great pomp and circumstance, making it one of the most significant and culturally significant holidays. It is observed on February 10 this year. The lunar calendar determines the Chinese New Year’s date. Google, the search engine giant, honored and celebrated the festival by releasing an interactive feature.
When a user types “Chinese New Year” into the search box, the feature appears. Several red and yellow fireworks can be seen on the result page.
Meanwhile, Chinese New Year is also referred to as the “Spring Festival”. It also marks the beginning of spring and the end of the biting cold. Each Chinese New Year is assigned a zodiac sign, of which there are 12. Each Chinese zodiac sign is associated with an animal. They are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. While 2023 was the Year of the Rabbit, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. Chinese New Year 2025 will be the Year of the Snake.
Chinese New Year festivities typically span 16 days, commencing on New Year’s Eve and concluding with the Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival takes place on February 24 this year. On New Year’s Eve, there is customarily a grand fireworks display to welcome the Chinese New Year. The tradition has a legend associated with it. According to Chinese folklore, a terrifying creature called Nian is said to reappear on Lunar New Year’s Eve with the intention of consuming humans as well as animals. The purpose of the booming explosions and flashing lights is to frighten Nian away and protect the neighborhood. This custom has persisted for ages and is now an essential component of the holiday.
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