Happy Chinese New Year! Year of the Snake
(Chalinee Thirasupa - Reuters) The 2025 Lunar New Year is here! Rooted in over 3,500 years of history, the Chinese New Year is one of the most significant festivals in Chinese culture. The Lunar New Year is also celebrated in Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore, among other countries . It follows the lunar calendar, with celebrations lasting for fifteen days, ending with the Lantern Festival. Traditionally, the holiday represents a time to honor ancestors, welcome prosperity, and embrace fresh beginnings. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun, the lunar calendar follows the moon's cycles to determine days, weeks, and months. The Year of the Snake in 2025 begins on January 29 and will conclude on February 16, 2026. The snake is the sixth sign in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, appearing once every dozen years. According to Chinese mythology, the order of the zodiac animals was determined by a big race where creatures race...