The Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar, so the date varies from year to year, taking place sometime between January 21 and February 20. In 2024, the Year of the Rabbit will officially come to an end on February 9 and the Year of the Dragon will begin on February 10. This is the most important holiday in China and, as such, the festivities typically last for fifteen days. Based on the Chinese zodiac, here is what we can expect for 2024:
The Year of the Dragon is considered lucky!
If you believe in fate and the representation of the twelve zodiac animals, then you should be excited about the upcoming Lunar New Year taking place at the beginning of February. Dragons are considered particularly auspicious in the Chinese zodiac, being the only creature that is mythical and one that represents success, honor, luck, and authority.
The element of the year is wood
2024 will be the Year of the Dragon, but more specifically, it will be the Year of the Wood Dragon. The elements, like the zodiac animals, represent different traits. Wood embodies the qualities of strength and creativity. It’s believed that 2024 will bring growth and progress that we can build upon in the future.
The last Year of the Wood Dragon happened in 1964
If you learned about 1964 in history class, or if you lived through it, then you could see how the Wood Dragon personifies some of the events that took place that year. The 1960s were a time of great change and progressive movements all over the world. Specifically, in 1964, the US Civil Rights Act was enacted, creating a foundation for all Americans to seek equal rights and treatment under the law.
Whether you believe in role the zodiac plays in our lives or not, we can hope for an improvement to the well-being of all humankind if we ourselves take the opportunity this year to embody the characteristics of a Dragon by being honest, hardworking, and driven to make a difference.
By Kelli Drummer-Avendano
Also read:
Top 10 Traditions of the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year: How to celebrate this massive festival
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