In brief
On January 28, 2025, the arrival of the Year of the Snake was greeted with vibrant fireworks, familial gatherings, and rich feasts across various cultures. More than a billion people, from major cities in China to the Philippine islands and diaspora neighborhoods in the U.S., participated in age-old customs marking this significant holiday.
As families come together, the Lunar New Year fosters a spirit of unity echoed through diverse celebrations—dubbed Seollal in South Korea and Tet in Vietnam. In China, this momentous occasion incites the largest annual human migration globally, as millions traverse packed transport networks to return to their hometowns. Traditions differ widely, but common themes persist, underscoring the celebration: family bonding, ancestral honor, and an array of sumptuous dishes. Many participants honor the new year by visiting temples to make food offerings and burn incense for their ancestors. Children in China anticipate receiving red envelopes filled with money as a token of blessings from their elders.In Southeast Asia, dragon dances—a cultural spectacle symbolizing good fortune and bountiful harvests—entertain crowds, weaving through streets and sometimes even beneath the waves. The world bid adieu to the Year of the Dragon and welcomed the Year of the Snake with enthusiasm and hope for prosperity in the months ahead.
