Chinese New Year | Summary, History, Traditions, & Facts - Britannica

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• Introduction & Top Questions
• History
• Traditions and celebration
• Food traditions
• The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac

References & Edit History Related Topics Images & Videos Related Questions

• What are three don’ts on Chinese New Year’s Day?
• What are New Year festivals?
• Why does the new year begin on January 1?
• How is New Year’s Eve celebrated?
• Why does a ball drop on New Year’s Eve?

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External Websites

• Western Kentucky University - TopSCHOLAR - The Origin of Chinese New Year (PDF)
• CBS News - Where is the lunar new year celebrated and who celebrates it?
• United States Department of State - American English - Chinese New Year (PDF)
• Wake Forest University - Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology - Chinese New Year
• Columbia University - Asia for Educators - The Lunar New Year: Rituals and Legends
• Live Science - Chinese New Year: Customs & Traditions
• Royal Museums Greenwich - How do people celebrate Chinese New Year?

Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

• Chinese New Year - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Chinese New Year - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Chinese New Year Ask Anything Homework Help Written by Tamanna Nangia Tamanna Nangia is Associate Editor, Encyclopaedia Britannica. She has over five years of experience in editorial processes, handling many different aspects of the publishing process: content development,... Tamanna Nangia Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Feb. 17, 2026 •History Britannica AI Ask Anything Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything Top Questions

What is the Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, is a 15-day festival celebrated in China and by Chinese communities worldwide that begins with the new moon between January 21 and February 20; festivities last until the following full moon.

What animal is the Chinese New Year in 2026?

In 2026 the Chinese New Year marks the Year of the Horse, according to the Chinese zodiac calendar.

What are three don’ts on Chinese New Year’s Day?

On the first day of the New Year, sweeping or cleaning is avoided as it is believed to brush away good fortune. During the 15 days of celebration, breaking objects is considered a bad omen, as it is thought to bring bad luck, and gifting or buying new books is discouraged because the word for “book” sounds like “lose” in Chinese.

How long is Chinese New Year celebrated?

The Chinese New Year is celebrated over a period of 15 days.

What foods are traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year?

Traditional foods include carp for long life, whole fish for abundance, dumplings and spring rolls for wealth, long noodles for longevity, sticky rice cakes for success, and citrus fruits for good luck.

News •

Lunar New Year prayers, robots and festivities usher in the Year of the Horse • Feb. 17, 2026, 5:21 PM ET (AP) ...(Show more) World shares mostly advance and Japan falls ahead of Lunar New Year holidays • Feb. 16, 2026, 4:32 AM ET (AP) People — and robots — are getting ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year in China • Feb. 13, 2026, 10:23 AM ET (AP) China’s Lunar New Year travel rush begins with record 9.5 billion trips expected • Feb. 10, 2026, 10:06 PM ET (AP) Show less

Chinese New Year, annual 15-day festival in China and Chinese communities around the world that begins with the new moon occurring sometime between January 21 and February 20, according to Western calendars. Festivities last until the following full moon.

The holiday is sometimes called the Lunar New Year because the dates of celebration follow the phases of the moon. Since the mid-1990s people in China have been given seven consecutive days off work during the Chinese New Year. This week of relaxation has been designated Spring Festival, a term that is sometimes used to refer to the Chinese New Year in general.

History

The origins of the Chinese New Year are steeped in legend. One legend is that thousands of years ago a monster named Nian (“Year”) would attack villagers at the beginning of each new year. The monster was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red, so those things were used to chase the beast away.

Traditions and celebration

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One popular Chinese New Year tradition is the thorough cleaning of one’s home to rid the residence of any lingering bad luck. Some people prepare and enjoy special foods on certain days during the holiday. Celebrations to usher out the old year and bring forth the luck and prosperity of the new one often include firecrackers, fireworks, and red clothes and decorations. Young people are given money in colorful red envelopes. The last event held during the Chinese New Year is called the Lantern Festival, during which people hang glowing lanterns in temples or carry them during a nighttime parade. Since the dragon is a Chinese symbol of good fortune, a dragon dance highlights festival celebrations in many areas. This procession involves a long, colorful dragon being carried through the streets by numerous dancers. In addition Chinese New Year is a time to feast and visit family. Along with the celebrations, Chinese New Year is associated with a few superstitions. Breaking objects is considered a bad omen and is thought to bring bad luck. Gifting or buying new books is discouraged because the word for “book” sounds like “lose” in Chinese. Arguments and anger are avoided to ensure harmony, and sweeping or cleaning on the first day is seen as inauspicious, as it is believed to brush away good fortune.

Food traditions

Families prepare food in advance since using sharp objects on New Year’s Day is considered unlucky. Particular dishes are chosen for the hopeful meanings suggested by their names, such as carp, which represents a long life. Many traditional dishes served during this festival reflect wishes for prosperity, health, and longevity. The celebrations begin on the eve of Chinese New Year, and a whole fish is almost always present on the table because the Chinese word for “fish” sounds like the word for “surplus,” suggesting abundance will flow throughout the year. Dumplings (jiaozi), with their crescent shapes resembling ancient ingots of gold, are a must-have. Uncut long noodles are consumed to represent longevity, with the belief that eating them without breaking the strands will bring long life. Sticky rice cakes called nian gao are commonly consumed, because their name means “high year,” implying steady progress and success in whatever one pursues. Crisp, golden spring rolls mirror ancient gold bars, symbolizing wealth, and bright citrus fruits such as oranges and tangerines are shared because their round shape and color evoke fullness, success, and good luck.

Also called: Lunar New Year (Show more) Related Topics: China Chinese zodiac Lunar New Year January February (Show more) See all related content

The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac

The Chinese lunar calendar operates on a 12-year zodiac cycle, with each year represented by an animal. Every animal in this zodiac system, which is called Sheng Xiao, is believed to have a personality that represents the year and the people born during that year. The Chinese zodiac year begins with Chinese New Year, thus changing the cycle to a new animal. In the Chinese tradition, a person’s birth year—rather than their birth month—is considered key to understanding character and fortune. For example, 2026 is recognized as the Year of the Horse.

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animal	traits	year of the zodiac (2026–37)
horse	represents motion, liveliness, freedom, and enthusiasm	2026
sheep	symbolizes tranquility, peace, compassion, creativity, and emotional awareness	2027
monkey	stands for curiosity, mischief, flexibility, and clever problem-solving	2028
rooster	represents confidence, inflexibility, and attention to detail	2029
dog	symbolizes loyalty, reliability, fairness, and protection	2030
pig	represents honesty, self-indulgence, generosity, and abundance	2031
rat	represents quick thinking, sharp intuition, and adaptability	2032
ox	symbolizes fertility, patience, hard work, persistence, and dependability	2033
tiger	stands for independence, passion, and impulsiveness	2034
rabbit	represents calm, healing, sensitivity, and sacrifice	2035
dragon	symbolizes luck, fortune, independence, intuition, and leadership	2036
snake	signifies wisdom, intuition, careful observation, and inward reflection	2037

Tamanna Nangia The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica