5 Things You Should Know About the Lunar New Year
Be the first to know about our Lunar New Year challenge.When is the Lunar New Year?
Fun fact: there is no actual set date for the Lunar New Year. However, this year's Lunar New Year coming up soon will take place on January 25, 2020, until February 8, 2020. Unlike most western countries, the many countries that celebrate the Lunar New Year (including China, Singapore, Vietnam, and many more) don't utilize a set date for the new year.
This could have a lot to do with the fact that the Lunar New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. The festival begins on the New Moon sometime each year between January 21st and February 20th and is celebrated for about 15 days, with the last three days being the Lantern Festival.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with CXI
This Lunar New Year coming up soon, don't miss your chance to celebrate with CXI! You've got a chance to win your own Red Envelope cash prize of 888 Chinese yuan with our #LunarNewYear challenge from 1/24 - 2/8!
Simply share our Lunar New Year challenge question on Facebook or Twitter with your answer. Don't forget to mention @CurrencyExchangeInternational on Facebook or mention @ceifx on twitter for your chance to win your red envelope with 888 Chinese yuan.
Or if you're looking to gift someone some authentic Chinese currency, you can order some Chinese yuans for pickup, here. Want to learn more about the Chinese yuan currency? Check out 4 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About the Chinese yuan.
What is this year's zodiac animal?
This year is the year of the rat, which is the first of the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. In Chinese culture, your zodiac animal can be indicative of your career, your health, and even the success of your relationships. Check out the video below to learn more about the Chinese Zodiac.
For those who were born in the year of the rat, your lucky colors are blue and yellow while your lucky numbers are 2 and 3; a beautiful combination of primary colors and prime numbers!
Why the firecrackers?
A staple of the wonderful Lunar New Year celebration is firecrackers, and of course, fireworks! But why are they so crucial to the celebration? According to one myth, there was a monster named Nian that would come around on the eve of the New Year; striking fear all over China and leaving many to hide in their homes.
But one boy was brave enough to stand up to the monster. He came out from hiding and chased Nian off with firecrackers. The next day, people celebrated the boy's bravery by setting off even more firecrackers and fireworks. From there on out, the Lunar New Year starts with many people setting off firecrackers all over the world.
Why the red envelopes?
During the Lunar New Year, children and some fortuitous adults receive red envelopes full of lucky money. Oftentimes, children get upwards of 1000 CNY per envelope; making the Lunar New Year a very lucrative holiday for kids all around the world.
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Currency Exchange International (CXI) is a leading provider of foreign currency exchange services in North America for financial institutions, corporations, and travelers. Products and services for international travelers include access to buy and sell more than 80 foreign currencies, gold bullion coins and bars. For financial institutions, our services include the exchange of foreign currencies, international wire transfers, purchase and sale of foreign bank drafts, international traveler’s cheques, and foreign cheque clearing through the use of CXI’s innovative CEIFX web-based FX software www.ceifx.com
