Chinese New Year, known in Chinese as the Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year, is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. Many factories in China shut down for 15 days as much of the country's work force goes on an extended holiday.

More commonly known as Lunar New Year outside the Americas, the holiday is called the Spring Festival on mainland China, Tết in Vietnam, Seollal in South Korea, and Losar in Tibet.

In addition to mainland China and Hong Kong, Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, such as Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and also in Chinatowns throughout the world.

Celebrated at the second new moon after the winter solstice, this holiday can occur anywhere between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar.

The Chinese New Year starts with the new moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon, which is the 15th day, called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.

2024 is the Year of the Dragon. It begins February 10.

Xin Nian Hao

According to Chinese legend, a man-eating monster called "Nian" would come down from the mountains in the spring to attack the townspeople. In order to scare the monster away, residents would decorate in red, light firecrackers, bang drums, and perform dances.

Some believe that this is the origin of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Thus, another name for the Chinese New Year is "Guo Nian," meaning "the passing of the beast."

Today, Nian refers to the New Year's day or the Spring Festival. Nian also means "year. "

The "Happy New Year!" greeting in Chinese is "Xin Nian Hao."