When is Chinese New Year 2024? What does the Year of the Dragon mean and zodiac explained

For many, Lunar New Year is the most important festival of the year.

Celebrated by Asian communities around the world, Chinese New Year is an annual 15-day festival which begins with the first new moon between January 21 and February 20.

Also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, it has been celebrated in China for millennia and is considered one of the most important events of the year.

With 2024 marking the Year of the Dragon, here's what you need to know about Chinese New Year including dates, what this year's zodiac represents, how it's celebrated and how to say Happy New Year in Mandarin and Cantonese.

When is Chinese New Year 2024?

In 2024, Chinese New Year will fall on Saturday, February 10 with festivities marking the beginning of the Year of the Dragon running until February 17.

Chinese New Year - or Lunar New Year as its also known - is coming up. Image: Getty

How long is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year always takes place on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar which starts the day following the first new moon between January 21 and February 20.

As such, the holiday typically lasts between 15 and 16 days ending on the following full moon, the arrival of which is marked with the Festival of Lanterns.

What does the Year of the Dragon mean?

There are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, each associated with certain character traits. The featured animals alternate on a yearly basis with 2024 marking the Year of the Dragon - specifically, the Wood Dragon.

This follows the Year of the Rabbit in 2022 and the Year of the Tiger in 2021.

In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolises power, nobility, honour, luck and success. As such, it is believed that the Year of the Wood Dragon could bring about growth, progress and abundance, making it a good year to build the foundations for long-term goals.

If you were born in any of the following years - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 or 2012 - you are a dragon, and it is said that you possess natural courage, tenacity and intelligence.

What are the Zodiac animals and their meanings?

The Chinese zodiac calendar.

Rat

The first Zodiac sign in the Chinese cycle. People who were born in the Year of the Rat are said to be quick-witted, resourceful, and smart but lack courage. Due to their work ethic, however, they are thought to be wealthy and prosperous. Lucky colours: blue, gold, green. Recent years: 2020, 2008, 1996.

Ox

The second of the Zodiac signs, an Ox is said to have an honest personality. People born in the Year of the Ox are thought to be diligent, dependable, strong, and determined. Though find it difficult to communicate. Lucky colours: white, yellow, green. Recent years: 2021, 2009, 1997.

Tiger

Third among the animals in the Chinese Zodiac, people born in the Year of the Tiger are brave, competitive, unpredictable, and confident. Confident, charming and well liked they sometimes possess a stubborn personality too. Lucky colours: blue, grey, orange. Recent years: 2010, 1998, 1986.

Rabbit

Fourth of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals, rabbits tend to be of a more gentle nature. Quiet, elegant, kind, and patient, rabbits have many positive characteristics but can also be known to be superficial. Lucky colours: pink, red, purple, blue. Recent years: 2011, 1999, 1987.

Dragon

Fifth in the order but widely seen as the most vital and powerful beast in the Chinese Zodiac. Hot-headed with a sharp tongue, people born in the Year of the Dragon are also said to be confident and intelligent, and natural leaders. Lucky colours: gold, silver, grey. Recent years: 2012, 2000, 1988.

Snake

Intelligent and wise, the sixth animal of the Chinese Zodiac is the most enigmatic. Goal-orientated and hate to fail, people born in the Year of the Snake are supposed to be the most intuitive and a symbol of wisdom. Lucky colours: black, red, yellow. Recent years: 2013, 2001, 1989.

Horse

People born in the Year of the Horse - the seventh animal of the Chinese Zodiac signs - are said to be active, animated and energetic. A lover of mass gatherings - sports events, live concerts, parties - horses crave the spotlight. Lucky colours: green, yellow. Recent years: 2014, 2002, 1990.

Goat

A thoughtful animal - and the eighth in order - people born in the Year of the Goat are generally thought of as being gentle, mild-mannered, shy, sympathetic and incredibly kind-hearted. Creative and tough under the surface. Lucky colours: brown, red, purple. Recent years: 2015, 2003, 1991.

Monkey

The ninth of 12 animals, monkeys are sharp, smart but also have a mischievous side to their personality. Thought to be masters of practical jokes, due to their playful nature, they are also fast learners and prefer urban life to a rural one. Lucky colours: white, blue, gold. Recent years: 2016, 2004, 1992.

Rooster

Always active, amusing, and popular within a crowd, roosters are talkative, outspoken, frank, honest, and loyal. The 10th animal in the Chinese order, roosters expect to be listened to and their achievement acknowledged. Lucky colours: gold, brown, yellow. Recent years: 2017, 2005, 1993.

Dog

Loyalty and honesty are two personality traits of those people born in the Year of the Dog. Kind, cautious, and prudent though communication is where they fall down, leading to others thinking they have a stubborn personality. Lucky colours: green, red, purple. Recent years: 2018, 2006, 1994.

Pig

The last of the Zodiac animals in the Chinese calendar, pigs are diligent, compassionate, and generous. One of their strengths is their ability to concentrate and forge ahead to achieve their goals, though they are easily fooled. Lucky colours: yellow, grey, brown, gold. Recent years: 2019, 2007, 1995.

How is Chinese New Year celebrated?

The Lunar New Year represents moving on from the old and the bad and welcoming in the new and the good. Across China, and Chinese communities around the world, it is celebrated with a variety of events like dragon or lion dances, imperial performances (such as an emperor’s wedding) or the wearing of traditional dress.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated with lantern festivals. Image: Getty

During this time you can find gifts wrapped in red packaging, red clothes and red decor placed all over the place. Adults often give children small red envelopes of money as well and these bestow good luck upon the recipient.

On New Year’s Eve families will celebrate with a dinner that takes place in the home allowing all the family members to connect, some Chinese expats living overseas will travel thousands of miles to join the occasion. After dinner the family will enjoy a tradition named ‘Shou Sui’ which sees everyone reminiscing over the year that just passed before launching fireworks at midnight.

How to wish someone a Happy New Year in Chinese?

If you want to wish someone a ‘Happy New Year’ and they’re from mainland China then you should use Mandarin, but if they’re from Hong Kong then it’s better you use Cantonese.

To wish someone a ‘Happy New Year’ you can say ‘Xīnnián hǎo’ (新年好), here are some phonetics to help you:

Cantonese - “sen - nin - haow”

Mandarin - “sheen - nyun - haow”