The President of the United Arab Emirates congratulates communities celebrating the Lunar New Year

On his X platform, Sheikh Mohamed tweeted: “I extend my best wishes to all those celebrating the Lunar New Year around the world. May this occasion foster good fortune, unity and prosperity for you and your families in the coming year.”

The Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival in China, is one of the most important and celebrated festivals in various cultures of East and Southeast Asia.

The festival, which marks the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar, is rich in traditions, cultural rituals and festivities that last up to two weeks. It is a time of family gatherings, feasting and giving thanks, as well as a period to honor ancestors and welcome the spring season.

Each year is associated with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, and the celebrations are filled with symbolic meanings, traditional foods and vibrant decorations such as red lanterns, which are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.