Chinese New Year and Tibetan Losar are often on different dates — based on two different lunar calendars. The Lunisolar Chinese Lunar calendar starts the new year in 2025 on January 29. (Losar — see the separate event — is almost one month later due to the strict lunar nature of the Tibetan calendar — this year on February 28, 2025)

It represents new beginnings, fresh start, and an opportunity to bring in auspiciousness for the new year. For this reason, purification practices are recommended prior to the New Year!

Chinese New Year 2025 is a Year of the Snake, elementally it’s the Earth Snake, which begins from January 29th, 2025, and lasting until February 16th, 2026. The celebrations for New Year last up to 15 days.

Preparing for New Year

Chanting at least 108 (minimum) Vajrasattva mantras prior to the New Year is often recommended, or ideally 108 every day for 10 days prior, or as many as you are able. An easy way to accomplish this is to chant along with Hrishikesh Sonar’s beautiful Sanskrit mantra (includes visualizations):

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpg4h4XqqQY

In both traditions, it is important to make offerings to the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Dharma and Sangha on New Years. This is why temple visits and “generosity” to the Sangha — especially monks, nuns, rinpoches, teachers, and temples or gompas. The purification (such as Vajrasatttva practices) removes negative karmas, while the offerings ensure auspicious merit in the new year.

Lucky Activities for first 15 Days

From China Highlights:

“Chinese people believe that what you do at the beginning of a new year will affect your luck in the coming year. Staying up on Chinese New Year’s eve (January 28th, 2025) and saying good words to your family/friends like Happy New Year after the clock strikes 12 will certainly bring good luck.

Giving out red packets to kids and elders will help cast away the bad luck (demon Nian) and bring good luck in.

Besides, decorating your house with kumquat trees (symbolizing wealth & good luck), wearing your lucky color (yellow, red), and eating lucky food like rice dumplings (family togetherness), fried flour-coated peanuts (vitality), walnut cookies (happiness), etc. are popular ways to get lucky.”

Activities on New Years

For the first 15 days of lunar New Year, bring in auspiciousness with lucky activities (see the section below!).

Aside from the astounding mix of wondrous activities scheduled around the world for Chinese New Year, the lunar first month of 2022 will be a busy one for Dharma activities.

Celebrate the New Year and every Dharma activity in the first month to ensure an auspicious, happy year! Some of the Dharma Dates are highlighted below.

February Dharma Celebrations

You’ll find the monthly Dharma Calendar Highlights on the home page of Buddha Weekly — a wonderful new animated wheel of dates, hover over graphics for dates in the month!