5 Things to Know About Lunar New Year and How It's Celebrated Across Asia.

The article focuses on the global celebration of the Lunar New Year, observed by approximately 2 billion people, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. It explains the holiday's origins in ancient Chinese agricultural traditions and its timing based on the lunisolar calendar, with this year's celebration occurring on January 22. The article highlights various cultural practices, such as family reunions, traditional foods symbolizing luck, and the giving of money in red envelopes, while noting differences in zodiac interpretations, particularly in Vietnam, where the Year of the Cat is celebrated instead of the Year of the Rabbit. Additionally, it mentions Japan's limited observance of the Lunar New Year, primarily in its Chinatowns. [Extracted from the article]