Traditional prayers, vibrant fireworks, and bustling fairs marked the Lunar New Year on Tuesday, ushering in the Year of the Horse across the globe. This significant holiday, which follows the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, saw millions participate in age-old rituals while embracing 21st-century innovations like humanoid robots.
Beijing's Temple of Earth Draws Massive Crowds
In Beijing, thousands flocked to the former Temple of Earth, where stalls offered snacks, toys, and trinkets. Sun Jing, who visited with her parents, expressed nostalgia, stating, "I haven't felt such a strong sense of Lunar New Year festivity in a very, very long time." The atmosphere echoed childhood memories for many, with crowds descending on temples to burn incense and pray for happiness and success in the coming year.
Robots Steal the Show at CCTV Spring Festival Gala
As part of the annual celebrations, China's CCTV Spring Festival gala featured a highlight performance where children and humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics executed martial arts sequences, even brandishing swords. This display underscored China's push to develop advanced robotics powered by improved AI capabilities.
Viewers had mixed reactions. One applauded the robots for providing "good guidance and direction for young people," while Li Bo commented, "It lacks a bit of the New Year atmosphere. It's not as enjoyable as when I was little watching the gala."
Global Celebrations from Hong Kong to New York
Beyond mainland China, the Lunar New Year was celebrated with fervor worldwide:
- In Hong Kong, incense smoke filled the air at temples as people lined up at midnight to make wishes for the new year.
- Vietnam, where the festival is called Tet, hosted outdoor countdown events with fireworks shows and light displays illuminating bridges and skyscrapers.
- Moscow saw Chinese street fairs with snowy streets decorated in red lanterns and dragons, coinciding with warming China-Russia relations.
- In Taipei, Taiwan, the Baoan Temple bell rang 108 times—an auspicious number—as visitors lit incense and left flower offerings.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina, celebrated with dragon and lion dances, reflecting the dynamic Chinese immigrant community of over 180,000 people.
- New York City's Chinatown hosted the 28th annual Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival, culminating in a massive firecracker display to ward off bad spirits.
The Lunar New Year remains the most important annual holiday in China and other East Asian nations, with its traditions and modern twists resonating across continents.
