In many Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is a celebration marking the arrival of spring and the start of a new year on the lunisolar calendar.

Over 1 billion people celebrate the holiday, which marks the transition from cold winter to a season of renewal and ushers in one of 12 Chinese zodiac signs.

Lunar New Year celebrations begin Wednesday. Here's everything to know about the 2025 Lunar New Year, the Year of the Snake.

The Lunar New Year usually starts sometime between late January and mid-February. This year, the festivities begin on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, marking the arrival of the Year of the Snake. In mainland China, official celebrations last for seven days as a public holiday.

T he Chinese Lunar New Year starts Wednesday, and one concept will be radiating throughout the year—internal transformation. Three aspects of the Chinese astrology zodiac are converging to make this year all about introspection and change: the animal symbolism of the snake,

Lunar New Year starts this week, marking an important holiday in China and other Asian communities. Lunar New Year celebrations can last up to 15 days, starting on the new moon between late January and mid-February. The exact date varies each year based on the lunar calendar.

As the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac, the snake represents the "midpoint, symbolizing balance — or the need for it —in one's life."

In honor of the Year of the Snake, let’s appreciate the strange anatomy and evolution of these slithery reptiles