This year, the Lunar New Year occurred on Feb.17 and began the Year of the Horse. During the Lunar New Year, it’s tradition for the elderly to give Lucky Money to the youth for the upcoming year, and families play games like Bầu cua in Vietnam. Another tradition is the lion dance, a special, choreographed dance performed with acrobatic flair. All of these traditions are what make the Lunar New Year a special time for many Asians. But what are the origins of the Lunar New Year?

The Chinese zodiac is said to originate from the tale of the Jade Emperor inviting 12 animals to a race to determine who was lucky. The Jade Emperor invited a Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and a Pig. The years were determined by the place the animal finished. The rat won the race, so the first year of the lunar calendar is the Year of the Rat. Every 12 years, the element of the animal changes; for example, the last time it was the Year of the Horse, it was the wood horse; this year, the element is the fire horse.
Of course, the Lunar New Year isn’t just celebrated in Asia; it’s celebrated all over the world. The Asian diaspora has raised awareness of the special day to the world. New York City hosts the biggest Lunar New Year celebration globally outside of Asia.