In China, 2024 is the year 4722: Year of the Dragon

While Brazilians – and much of the world – are living in the year 2024, China, with its Lunar New Year, is living in the year 4722.

Starting from February 10, the current Chinese year is dedicated to the Dragon. In China the signals last a whole year, not just a month.

Last year (2023 for Westerners and 4721 in China), the animal was the Rabbit. And the year began on January 22nd. For Easterners, the Rabbit in the calendar is a symbol of peace, intellect and prudence.

According to mythology, the rabbit was one of 12 animals that competed in a cosmic swimming race that ended up determining the order of the Chinese zodiac signs. Even without swimming well, the animal used its intellect and crossed the river on a raft.

The Dragon is the only mythical being in the Chinese calendar, as all 11 other animals actually exist. They are: rabbit, rat, ox, tiger, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, dog, rooster and pig.

The Dragon will dominate the Chinese calendar until 01/28/2025 (on our date). So, for the Easterners, the year 4723 will begin.

For the Chinese, the Dragon is the guardian of wealth and power. A symbol of prosperity. But it also indicates extravagance and the desire for greatness.

On New Year’s Eve, millions of people travel to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families. A moment that they consider quite important.

In the Chinese calendar, the year corresponds to the end of 12 complete cycles of the Moon. The lunar year has approximately 354 days, which is the time it takes for the Moon to complete 12 complete cycles.

What marks the new year is the first New Moon after the winter solstice. Generally it is between January 20th and February 18th.

New Year’s Eve parties usually start a week before the date. They organize flower fairs.

The Chinese also prepare large dances, with giant puppets and allegorical floats, highlighting mythical figures, such as dragons.

Another popular tradition to celebrate New Year’s Eve is the Lion Dance: dancers dressed as lions perform to represent a guardian creature of the people.

Some dishes also symbolize luck for the coming year: cakes and sweets. The Chinese have the custom of eating a sweet rice cake, called Tangyuan, which symbolizes family unity.

On New Year’s Eve, families stay up to celebrate. And it is common to use flashlights for lighting. A festival of lights that beautifies the streets.

The Lantern Festival takes place on the 15th day of the new year, marking the end of the celebrations.

In the Taiwanese dialect lantern means Deng and is pronounced Ding which means “a newborn”. Therefore, for the Chinese, lanterns have the meaning of illuminating the future, of giving birth.

The Lantern Festival was created about 2,000 years ago by Emperor Han Mingdi, a follower of Buddhism.

The festival also features fireworks and dance performances. Another tradition is the guessing game in which people try to solve puzzles written on lanterns.

Other East Asian countries, such as Vietnam, also observe the Lunar New Year.