Chinese New Year Year of the Snake starts on January 29, 2025

The snake is the sixth animal in the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac according to the Chinese calendar. China has been in the spotlight in recent months: Trump as president, tariffs on Chinese goods (trade war), TikTok going dark, China's geopolitics both globally and locally, etc. Are you also celebrating Chinese New Year in The Hague, Rotterdam, Leiden, or Amsterdam? The Year of the Snake begins on January 29, 2025, and ends on February 16, 2026. It is not only Asian countries that issue Chinese New Year stamps. In any case, philatelists (and thematic collectors of reptiles) are very pleased with the creative designs of the Chinese astrology stamps worldwide.

Happy New Year 2025

We bid farewell to the Year of the Dragon and welcome the Year of the Snake. Character traits according to Chinese astrology: intelligent, cunning, mysterious, active mind, very sexual, artistic, organized, bizarre sense of humor, instinctive, financial good fortune, but also unreliable, punctual (living by their own clock), jealous, unfaithful (also in friendships).

The Netherlands (2025): Year of the Dragon / Year of the Snake.

On December 31, Western countries count down to midnight to celebrate the new year. In China, they do things a little differently. Chinese New Year falls on a different date every year and lasts for fifteen days. Millions of family members travel in crowded trains from the cities to relatives in the countryside with many gifts. The date has everything to do with the lunar-solar calendar. During those fifteen days, the Chinese bid farewell to the past year and prepare for the coming year. They do this by cleaning their homes and spending time with friends and family. The Year of the Snake begins on January 29, 2025, and ends on February 16, 2026.

The Netherlands (2025): Year of the Snake.

Chinese New Year also has geopolitical angles, such as the NOT ALLOWED The annual celebration (including the official opening and celebration of Chinese New Year with the Ambassador of China and the Mayor of The Hague) will continue in 2025. Since 2002, this celebration has been part of the annual tradition in the Atrium (City Hall) of The Hague, featuring speeches by VIPs and a grand show with Chinese artists. The last time this took place was at the opening of the Year of the Dragon in 2024. The reason it is no longer taking place is that critical questions were raised by the Hague branch of the VVD regarding the dance performance featuring Uyghur traditional costume. Read the full report in the link at the bottom of the blog.

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Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, is the most important event on the Chinese calendar and is celebrated worldwide. On this day, Chinese people gather with their entire family, and rituals involving food, offerings at temples, and the color red take center stage. Superstitious individuals can indulge themselves during Chinese New Year: according to the Chinese, you can eat yourself happy. For instance, yu sheng (raw fish salad) and fai-hai (seaweed) are standard items on the menu, both of which bring good luck and prosperity.

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In Amsterdam, most activities take place in the Nieuwmarkt neighborhood (= Amsterdam's Chinatown). Here you will find a real Buddhist temple: the Fo Guang Shan A FruitChinese New Year is celebrated in this Chinese temple every year.

Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple on Zeedijk. Photo: Wikipedia / Shadowgate / Italy

Participate in the cultural traditions of Chinese New Year, such as exchanging red envelopes or attending lantern presentations. Lanterns (red and gold) symbolize hope and joy. They make perfect souvenirs or gifts and are available for purchase in specialty shops in Chinatown.

World Museum Leiden Chinese New Year festival

Come one, come all on Sunday 26 Januari 2025 to the World Museum Leiden (formerly the Museum of Ethnology) within walking distance of Leiden Central Station.

The Spring Festival begins on the first day of the Chinese calendar. The festival lasts 15 days and revolves around traditions such as praying for prosperity, family gatherings, and promoting harmony. Since 2024, the festival and its associated activities have been on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. For the World Museum, this is a wonderful opportunity to go all out this year with a spectacular lion dance. Come join us and drive away the evil spirits of the old year together.

Chinese New Year is being celebrated this year with the mysterious and intelligent snake as the central theme. The story behind this choice dates back to an ancient legend in which the Chinese emperor organized a race for all animals. The animals that won the race were given a place in the Chinese zodiac. The cunning snake managed to position itself by secretly hiding on the back of the horse and slid forward just before the finish line, thus securing the victory.

At the World Museum Leiden, visitors are invited to experience this special celebration with a varied program for young and old. During the festival, visitors can participate in various activities, such as workshops, an exciting story, an interactive game, a lecture, or a guided tour. This offers the opportunity to learn more about the meaning of the Chinese zodiac and the rich traditions of Chinese New Year. The program was developed in collaboration with the Dutch China Trade and Economic Promotion Association.

What is there to do in and outside the museum? A comprehensive schedule guides you to your favorite parts of Sunday. And it starts early. See the link at the bottom of the blog for the full program.

Zuid-Korea (2025): Year of the Snake / New Year’s Greetings.

Core activities: Lion dance, Chinese paper cutting (make a Chinese jianzhi snake), make a Chinese lucky knot, lecture 'Made in China', story 'The Monster of Nian', tour of China's masterpieces, dance of the golden snake, MahJong (the children's version), DJ Zhang Kai, Chinese snacks from Leiden's oldest restaurant (Woo Ping), make a lucky goldfish from Hongbo.

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Reading tip: read all the links with the programs of the major cities where Chinese New Year celebrations are held. Chinese New Year Festivals Chinese New Year in The Hague: https://www.chineesnieuwjaar-denhaag.nl/ Chinese New Year NOT more in The Hague City Hall, read the reasons: https://070online.nl/2024/12/17/chinees-nieuwjaar-2025-niet-in-stadhuis-den-haag/ Chinese New Year in The Hague will be celebrated in The Hague Chinatown on February 1, 2025, see program: https://indebuurt.nl/denhaag/doen/getipt/zo-wordt-het-chinees-nieuwjaar-2025-in-den-haag-gevierd-net-zoals-vroeger~348935/

Chinese New Year in Rotterdam, January 29 to February 12, 2025 with program: https://rcny.nl/ Chinese New Year in Amsterdam, January 24 to February 4, 2025 with program: https://www.iamsterdam.com/uit/festival-en-events/lunar-new-year