Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year?
Article · 3 min read ·
One Moon, Many Traditions
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 🌙
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