Occasionally, about every 24 years, Korean New Year will occur one day after Chinese New Year because of the new moon between Korea’s midnight (15:00UTC) and China’s midnight (16:00UTC). Okay, so nearly everyone in the world has adopted the Gregorian calendar and thus celebrate new year’s day on January 1st. However, the Lunar New Year is “Korean Lunar New Year or 설날 (Seollal) is the Korean version of Chinese New Year. It is celebrated at the same time as Chinese New Year (except for a rare case every several years where they fall a day apart) and, as the name indicates, is dependent on the lunar calendar,” according to Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls. It is a customary and heartfelt Korean New Year’s greeting, expressing wishes for abundant blessings, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year. Koreans share this warm sentiment during Seollal, the Korean New Year, in the days leading up to the arrival of the New Year, or for a while after the day. Related Page: Learning Korean The seventh day of the Lunar New Year (February 4, 2025) is said to be when the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa, created humanity. Thus, it’s called renri/jan jat (the people’s birthday). Korean Lunar New Year also has its own unique customs and traditions. Korean New Year Traditions. While Christmas in Korea is usually a time for celebrating with friends or for going on dates, Seollal, like Chuseok, is more of a family-based celebration. Many Koreans travel back to their family homes during this period. What countries celebrate Lunar New Year? Many Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year. While it is common in China, the other countries with significant Asian populations include South Korea Traditionally aligned with the Chinese New Year, due to the cultural and historical exchanges between Korea and China, this celebration typically occurs on the second new moon after the winter solstice. It shares similarities with other Asian New Year celebrations like those in Vietnam and Mongolia. Contrary to what many people may think, Lunar New Year is not exclusively a Chinese holiday. True, it follows the Chinese Lunar calendar, but the holiday is celebrated across the entire continent New Year's celebrations vary throughout the world. Some celebrate the new year on January 1. Others take place later in the month—like Lunar New Year and Korean New Year. But what is Korean New Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. Festival—giving people the opportunity to travel home and to celebrate the new year. Korea. In Korea, official Lunar New Year Although often referred to as Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year is celebrated all over the world. In South Korea, families celebrate Lunar New Year together over a big feast. The holiday is Seollal (Korean: 설날; RR: Seollal; MR: Sŏllal) is a Korean traditional festival and national holiday commemorating the first day of the lunisolar calendar. [1] It is one of the most important traditional holidays for ethnic Koreans, being celebrated in both North Korea and South Korea as well as Korean diaspora all around the world. Pre-Chinese New Year Preparations and Activities (Jan. 7–Feb. 12, 2025) Jan. 7, 2025: Laba Festival. Some Chinese start to celebrate and prepare for Chinese New Year as early as day 8 of the 12 th month of the lunar calendar. The Lunar New Year (known as Seollal in Korean) celebration is no joke in South Korea, and 2025 is about to take things to an even more fantastic level! This year marks the Year of the Wood Snake (also referred to as the Green Snake), symbolizing transformation, growth, and personal development. 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. The origins of the Chinese New Year are steeped in legend. One legend is that thousands of years The Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year is usually celebrated between late January and February, during the first new moon. This year, it will be on Wednesday, January 2025. But if you’re in Japan, you may be wondering, “Does Japan celebrate Chinese New Year?” Here’s what you should know. Does Japan Celebrate Chinese New Year? If given a place to celebrate the traditional New Year in three countries, Westerners prefer to go to Beijing, Seoul and Ho Chi Minh City. On Quora, a foreign visitor was curious about the similarities and differences between the Lunar New Year of three Asian countries, Vietnam - China - Korea. How is Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year, different from Chinese New Year?. Korean culture is rich and diverse, with many traditions and celebrations that stem from its historical context. One such celebration that raises the curiosity of many is whether Koreans celebrate the Lunar New Year. Because Seollal is on a Wednesday this year, the official public holiday for Lunar New Year in Korea spans January 28, 2025 to January 30, 2025. How do Koreans celebrate the Lunar New Year? Not all families celebrate traditionally and now more and more people are heading to the ski resorts and spas to enjoy some relaxation time rather than "In the case of Korea, the way people celebrate the Lunar New Year is different from that of Chinese, except for eating dumplings," Kiaer explained, adding that Korea has its own word "Seollal
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