Chinese New Year - Year of the Snake

Lunar New Year is a festival typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, so the dates of the holiday vary slightly from year to year, beginning some time between January 21 and February 20 according to Western calendars.

Approximately 10 days before the beginning of the new lunar year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to remove any bad luck that might be lingering inside, a custom called “sweeping of the grounds.” Traditionally, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are reserved for family celebrations, including religious ceremonies honouring ancestors. Also, on New Year’s Day, family members receive red envelopes (lai see) containing small amounts of money.

SJB Library is celebrating the festival with vibrant decorations and Chinese New Year inspired books, bookmarks and book displays. Check out the complete Lunar New Year Collection available in the library or why not try a book recommendation from our Chinese New Year poster (click on each book cover to find out more information).

“Reading ten thousand books is like travelling ten thousand miles.”
读万卷书，行万里路
dú wàn juàn shū, xíng wàn lǐ lù
~ Adaptation of an old Chinese saying