Global Celebrations the year of snake

#getgoing2025 **Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)** is indeed celebrated with vibrant traditions across the globe, blending ancient customs with local cultures. Here’s a glimpse of how the Year of the Snake (or **龙年** in 2024, though note: 2024 is actually the Year of the Dragon; the Snake was celebrated in 2013 and will return in 2025) is honored worldwide: Global Celebrations 1. **Singapore & Malaysia** - **Prosperity toss (*Yusheng/鱼生*)**: Families toss colorful raw fish salads high into the air for good luck. - **Chinatown lights**: Streets dazzle with lanterns, snake/dragon motifs, and fireworks. 2. **San Francisco, USA** - **Grand Parade**: One of the largest outside Asia, featuring a 200-foot golden dragon, lion dances, and marching bands. - **Firecracker ceremony**: Thousands of firecrackers scare away bad luck in Chinatown. 3. **London, UK** - **Trafalgar Square festivities**: Lion dances, calligraphy workshops, and food stalls draw over 500,000 visitors. 4. **Sydney, Australia** - **Lunar Lanterns**: Iconic landmarks like the Opera House light up with snake-inspired installations. - **Dragon Boat races**: Teams paddle to drums in Darling Harbour. 5. **Vietnam (*Tết Nguyên Đán*)** - **Peach blossoms**: Homes display pink or yellow blooms for prosperity. - **Ancestor worship**: Families offer food and incense to honor their elders. 6. **Jakarta, Indonesia** - **Barongsai (lion dance)**: Performers dance through Glodok Chinatown, blending Chinese and Javanese traditions. 7. **Paris, France** - **13th Arrondissement Parade**: Dragon puppets, martial arts demos, and tea ceremonies celebrate Franco-Chinese culture. Year of the Snake Symbolism** While the Snake (associated with wisdom, mystery, and renewal) is less flashy than the Dragon, its themes inspire: - **Food**: Long noodles for longevity, dumplings for wealth. - **Decor**: Red lanterns (luck), snake motifs (transformation). - **Taboos**: Avoid arguing, borrowing money, or wearing black/white (colors of mourning).