Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year?

As many people prepare to celebrate the Lunar — or Chinese — New Year on February 17, it feels like the perfect moment to briefly explore whether there is actually a difference between these two names — and which New Year you might choose to celebrate, if you feel called to mark the occasion.

Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year are often used as synonyms — but they are not exactly the same thing. Let’s take a closer look together.

Although Lunar New Year is usually celebrated on the same day as Chinese New Year, in some countries it falls on a different date. For example, it may be observed on the first, rather than the second, New Moon after the winter solstice.

🌙 Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year is a general term.

It refers to a New Year that begins according to a lunar or lunisolar calendar.

It is celebrated in various Asian countries:

• Vietnam — Tết

• Korea — Seollal

• China — Chūnjié (Spring Festival)

• as well as Singapore, Malaysia, and others

📅 It begins on the first New Moon between January 21 and February 20.

In other words, it is a category of holiday based on the phases of the Moon.

🐉 Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a specific cultural expression of Lunar New Year.

It:

• is based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar

• includes the system of 12 zodiac animals (Horse, Dragon, Tiger, Snake, etc.)

• is connected with Chinese astrology and the Five Elements

• lasts 15 days and concludes with the Lantern Festival

In other words, it is a particular form of Lunar New Year.

To put it very simply:

Every Chinese New Year is a Lunar New Year.

But not every Lunar New Year is Chinese.

Lunar New Year as a Personal Ritual of Renewal

Now that we’ve clarified the names, a more meaningful question arises:

How can you experience this transition personally?

Here are a few simple ideas for welcoming the Moon and its cycles into your own life.

The New Moon Ritual as a “Threshold of the Year”

Lunar New Year begins with a New Moon — an ideal moment to:

🕯 Light a single candle as a symbol of a new cycle
📓 Write down 3–7 intentions (not goals, but inner states)
🌑 Take a silent pause to tune in to your emotions and feelings
🃏 Work with lunar-themed tarot or oracle decks — choose the one that resonates most with you

For example, if you’d like:

• a lunar calendar approach → Moonology Oracle Cards

• to explore archetypal states → Queen of the Moon Oracle

• psychological depth → Deviant Moon

• sacred aesthetics → Moonchild

• shadow and minimalism → Dark Moon

• soft modern energy → Wild Moon

Water as a Carrier of Intention

The Moon governs water.

You can try a simple ritual:

• Pour a glass of water

• Speak your intention aloud (for example: “I follow rhythm, not the race.” “I listen to my body.” “I choose softness.”)

• Drink it mindfully

No mysticism required — simply an act of consciously setting your choice.

And as this Lunar New Year begins, may the Moon gently guide you into a new cycle.

May it bring a sense of comfort, inner steadiness, and quiet strength.

And if something in your life is ready for change, may its light softly illuminate the way forward.

Happy Lunar New Year 🌙