Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in many East and Southeast Asian cultures. Marking the first day of the lunar calendar, it’s a time for family reunions, honouring ancestors, and introducing a fresh start. The festivities span up to 15 days, each involving unique traditions, including feasts, parades, dragon dances, and the iconic giving of red envelopes filled with money for good luck. The colour red is used in this celebration as it symbolizes good luck, prosperity, and happiness, and is believed to ward off evil spirits. There is a rotation of 12 zodiac animals: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. This year’s zodiac animal is the snake! Whether through food, music, or rituals, the Lunar New Year is a time for joy, reflection, and connection. To celebrate, some families have a large dinner with many games which vary from family to family. The Lunar New Year is a time to celebrate and 8 Globemaster wishes everyone a happy Lunar New Year!

Artwork by FCpl Aziz
Written by Cdt Leung, Sgt Ko and Sgt Choy