Happy Lunar New Year! Welcome the Year of the Dragon!

by John M. Goralka
Sacramento, CA

Lunar New Year

In the west, the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival is often referred to as Chinese New Year. However, the Lunar New Year is the most celebrated and longest of all Asian festivals and is celebrated by millions of people worldwide.

January and February

The Lunar New Year begins between January 21 and February 20 each year. The New Year starts on the new moon nearest the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This year, the Lunar New Year is celebrated on February 10, 2024.

The traditional Chinese calendar is lunisolar calendar based upon astronomical observations of the Sun’s position in the sky and the Moon’s phase. The Chinese calendar dates back to the 14 th century BC. Note, that the Gregorian calendar was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.

Preparation for the Lunar New Year

Prior to the start of the official holiday, the Chinese households are thoroughly cleared which symbolizes ridding the household of bad luck from the prior year. Tradition holds that brooms be stored so that good luck for the New Year is not swept away. Communities decorate with the color red using fresh paint and paper cutout lanterns. Red is the color of joy and good fortune in Chinese culture.

Lunar New Year Dragon Dance

The Dragon Dance is performed each year during the Lunar Year celebration. Chinese Dragons are a symbol of Chinese culture. The Dragon Dance is believed to bring good luck. The longer the dragon remains in the dance the more luck the dance brings to the community. Perhaps the attached videos will bring luck to you and your family. I am already enjoying my good luck because my wife was born under the sign of the Dragon.

Take a look at this amazing video of us celebrating: YEAR OF THE DRAGON

John Goralka is the lead attorney and founder of the Goralka Law Firm, P.C., and is an experienced Sacramento estate planning and tax planning lawyer.

For help in Sacramento with estate planning or tax planning, please contact our office.