Lunar New Year follows a lunisolar calendar. A lunar year lasts approximately 354 days, as opposed to a solar year which is the 365 days most of us are used to seeing. Lunar New Year as a holiday celebrates the first new moon in the lunar calendar. While it isn’t as commonly celebrated in western countries, it’s a prominent holiday in many east-Asian countries.
New Year 2021 is the Year of the Ox! In the Chinese Zodiac, the Ox symbolizes hard work, positivity, and a fertile harvest; along with a more slow and steady pace to the year. 2020 was the Year of the Rat, which is believed to symbolize constant change.
If you want to do more reading, Google has a quick summary for you, and Oprah Mag had a more detailed write up on the holiday.
Whether you celebrate or today is just a Friday for you, I wish you a year full of prosperity and happiness!
