What is Lunar New Year, which countries celebrate it and why is it the Year of the Dragon?

Popular festival marks a time of feasting, cleaning and celebrating with family

The God of Wealth arrives at the Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 10, when the Year of the Dragon begins. Getty Images

An egg is offered to tiger sculptures at a Chinese temple during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Kandal province, Cambodia. EPA

Incense is burned at a Chinese temple in the Chinatown area of Yangon, Myanmar, on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP

Dancers perform a traditional Lion Dance during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Manila, Philippines. EPA

Incense and prayers during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, where Lunar New Year is known as Imlek. EPA

Chinese artists perform a dragon dance in Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo

Prayers for Lunar New Year at a temple in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. EPA

A Filipino dancer performs with fire to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year in Manila, Philippines. EPA

A traditional Lion Dance in Manila. EPA

Candles are lit at Kuan Yim Shrine in Chinatown on Lunar New Years Eve in Bangkok, Thailand. Getty Images

People at prayer during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. EPA

A gathering for prayer at a temple in Yangon, Myanmar. AP Photo

Selfies with a decorative dragon lantern during Lunar New Year celebrations at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images

Incense sticks and prayers during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. AP Photo

Malaysian ethnic Chinese pray on the first day of Lunar New Year's holidays at a temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo

Photos to remember the Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images

People queue to pray at a temple during the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Taipei, Taiwan. EPA

Residents touch the Lion Dance during a performance at the Dongyue Temple on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing. AP Photo

Fireworks fly after a Lunar New Year's Eve countdown celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images

A member of a Chinese acrobatics troupe performs during the Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images

The God of Wealth attends a Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images

An Indonesian-Chinese man lights incense sticks during the Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. AP Photo

A Buddhist holds an oil lamp in a shape of a lotus flower as he offers prayers during a Lunar New Year celebration at Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getty Images

Diners watch a Lion Dance in a restaurant of the Chinatown area of Yokohama, Japan, on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP

A woman prays at the Lama Temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon in Beijing. AFP

Children dressed in costumes prepare to perform a Dragon Dance, as they take part in celebrations to mark the Lunar New Year, in Kolkata, India. Reuters

A man looks on as members of the Chinese community take part in a traditional Dragon Dance in Kolkata on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP

Offerings are placed on a Wishing Tree on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon, in Hong Kong, China. Reuters

A human puppet of Tsai Shen Yeh, the God of Wealth, parades in front of the St Paul's Ruins during celebrations in Macau on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP

Pedestrians touch a head of a dragon during celebrations in Macau on the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Dragon. AFP

Divers perform an underwater Lion Dance at the KLCC Aquaria ahead of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AP Photo

The Lunar New Year begins on Saturday and countries around the world are set to celebrate.

It is also commonly referred to as Chinese New Year, although the holiday is celebrated in many East Asian countries as well as Asian communities throughout the world.

This is the Year of the Dragon and celebrations will go on until February 20, before preparations begin for the Lantern Festival on February 21.

What is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a calendar year that bases its months on moon cycles. The tradition dates to the 14th century BC, when the Shang Dynasty was in power, and the festival typically lands some time between the end of January and mid-February. Last year, Lunar New Year started on February 9.

Parades, dance and firecrackers are a huge part of Lunar New Year celebrations. Reuters

However, it is worth noting that Lunar New Year is not just a one-day affair, it is an action-packed holiday celebrated over 15 days. During this time, houses are cleaned, decorations put up, feasts and family dinners organised, debts cleared and firecrackers let off. There are also parades and other festivities to watch or be a part of.

In China, specific dishes are eaten with the intention of bringing luck and prosperity to the coming year – from longevity noodles to Peking duck. The celebrations usually culminate on the date of the full moon with a lantern festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival.

Celebrated in many countries – not only China

Peking duck is a popular dish during Lunar New Year festivities. Photo: Hutong

Within China, the Lunar New Year is synonymous with Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. However, many neighbouring countries in Asia have developed their own New Year celebrations, influenced by the Chinese calendar.

Vietnam celebrates Tet Nguyen Dan, also known as Tet, while Korea celebrates Seollal, which lasts for three days instead of 15.

In Mongolia, the Lunar New Year is also called Tsagaan Sar. In Indonesia, Chinese New Year is known as Imlek and has become a popular holiday.

Tibet’s New Year celebrations, known as the Losar Festival, are usually not held on the same date as China’s Lunar New Year (although it is not usually far off). This year, Losar begins on March 3.

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines also mark the occasion at the same time as Chinese New Year, as do many other countries that have a high number of Chinese residents.

Which animal is associated with this year?

Each Chinese New Year is associated with an animal according to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, which features 12 animals including the rabbit (which was 2023's animal), rat, horse, monkey and rooster.

This year is the Year of the Dragon. The calendar is based on a 12-year cycle, with previous dragon years falling in 2000, 2012, 1988, 1976 and so on. According to superstition, those born during the Year of the Dragon show natural courage, tenacity, and intelligence, often displaying enthusiasm and confidence.