Across the world, families celebrate for Lunar New Year, a special holiday in the traditional Chinese calendar. This celebration marks the start of a new year based on the moon cycle. Lunar New Year falls between late January and mid-February. In 2026, the holiday begins on February 17th.

“The first thing I would tell them is that it mainly consists of doing things that will bring prosperity, wealth, and luck for the new year. Lunar new year also emphasizes the concept of spending time with family and friends,” Emma Shih ‘29 said

Shih, a student who goes to Olentangy High School celebrates Lunar New Year with her family and friends.

“I usually celebrate the lunar new year by spending time with family and friends, and calling my family members, and I greet them with special lunar new year greetings. I also receive red envelopes from them as well,” Shih said.

The red envelopes are known as “Hongbao” which contain money to symbolize wealth, success, and blessings for the year. Families also hang up red banners and wear red for good luck. 

One of Shih’s favorite new year activities is playing mahjong which is a strategic and luck filled game and is special to play during the new year. She also likes to win and is fun playing it with family and friends.

“Eating fish and leaving a bit of it left is important as it means that there will be surplus and prosperity in the new year. We also eat turnip cake and rice cake for good luck and a peaceful year, Shih Said. We eat prosperity cake as it means to rise high and be successful. In total, we usually have 8 dishes as 8 is considered lucky.”

A special thing families do for luck and wealth is sleep under red envelopes under their pillows for about 15 days to get rich in the new year, Shih says to stay up until midnight to live longer. 

Lunar New Year is a worldwide celebration that is a tradition about luck, wealth, and success. It’s important to spend time with family and friends and celebrate with loved ones.