Today is the Lunar New Year, celebrated by 1/5th of the world’s population. The lunar calendar is based on the phases of the moon, so the date of the lunar new year changes each year. It falls during the second new moon after the winter solstice, so the first day of the lunar new year can be anywhere from January 21 to February 19. While the most recognized celebration happens in China, the holiday is also observed by numerous cultures around the world, including Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Korea. In China, its commonly known as the Spring Festival, and celebrations last for 15 days. Each year is represented by an animal in the Chinese zodiac, and 2025 is the year of the snake. Learn more in the audio below.