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Introducing: The Year of the Snake
Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year as it is sometimes referred to, is an annual 15-day festival celebrated in China and by the Chinese community worldwide. Beginning with the new moon between January 21st and February 20th, the festivities will last until the next full moon's appearance.
Origins
Shrouded in myth, the birth of Chinese New Year is said to have taken place many thousands of years ago, when a legendary monster would attack villagers across China at the start of each new year. The beast ('Nian' or 'Year') was said to be terrified of the colour red, loud noises, and bright lights, so the villagers created the original celebrations as a deterrent against the creature attacking them and their lands. That is why the modern event includes fireworks, red envelopes, brightly coloured decorations and parties brimming with light. All of this is seen as a sign of prosperity and peace against calamity in the coming year.
Chinese Zodiac
But how does this fit in with the 'Year of the Snake'? That's where the Chinese zodiac becomes important! Following the Lunar Calendar (hence 'Lunar New Year'), each year in a 12-year cycle is associated with a new animal that predicts the personalities of everyone born within that year. The animal of each year is especially celebrated around the New Year!
2025
And this is where our good friends at Johnnie Walker come in! Having started the range of Chinese New Year expressions in 2013, the brand have now completed the 12-year cycle back to their original animal; 2025 the Year of the Snake.
As the sixth animal in the Chinese zodiac, the Snake has a host of different cultural meanings attached to it, from the symbolic 'shedding old habits and embracing a new future' much as a snake sheds its old skin, to the idea of wealth and fortune inspired by ancient Chinese mythology of a snake with a secret hoard beneath the earth. All that we know is - the Year of the Snake couldn't be better welcomed in, than by drinking the exceptional Johnnie Walker Blue Label Chinese New Year - Year of the Snake.
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