The Ringwood Team Welcome the Year of the Snake

“Gong Xi Fa Cai” from the Highview Ringwood Crew! In honour of Chinese culture, Scott Chen and team will be celebrating Chinese New Year this week.

Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, is one of the most significant holidays in Chinese culture. It follows the lunar calendar, so the date varies each year but typically falls between January and February. This year, it marks the Year of the Snake, beginning on 28th January 2025 and concluding on 12th February with the Lantern Festival.

New Year’s Eve, on 28th January, is a time for family reunions, especially for those who live far apart. The reunion dinner is the most important meal of the year, with dishes symbolising good luck, health, and prosperity, such as dumplings, spring rolls, steamed fish, sweet rice balls, and sticky rice cake. It’s a moment to gather, celebrate, and enjoy being together.

Traditionally, people wear new clothes, often in red or bright colours, which represent luck and happiness. Common greetings include “Happy New Year,” “Gong Xi Fa Cai,” and “Health and Good Luck.” Another cherished tradition is the exchange of red envelopes (hongbao) containing money. Elders give these envelopes to younger family members to wish them success, and the younger generation returns the gesture when they start their careers or receive a work bonus.

Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate traditions, reflect on the past year, and look forward to a positive future. It’s also a time to strengthen family bonds and focus on the present joys of togetherness.

From all of us at Highview, we wish everyone a HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!