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31st January 2024
Happy Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Dragon!
First thing’s first: What is Lunar New Year and Where is it Celebrated?
Lunar New Year is a collision of calendars – it’s the first New Moon on the Solar Calendar, marking the first day of the Lunar Calendar.
This special date is celebrated all around the world – of course in China, but the celebration and Zodiac Animals became so important that they travelled to many East Asian and South East Asian countries including:
China (CNY), Japan (JPY), Korea (KRW), Malaysia (MYR), Philippines (PHP), Indonesia (IDR), Singapore (SGD), Vietnam (VND), Thailand (THB) and more.
In each of these countries there are slight variations in the animals and the myths, but they’re honoured with the same reverence. If you want to learn about the myth, read our blog!
This year is the Year of the Wood Dragon
It’s said to be a year of excitement.
The Dragon is the only mythical creature in the Zodiac, symbolised by power, nobility, charisma, luck, honour, success, and with no parallel for talent and excellence! So if our year is governed by such a magnificent creature, it’s sure to be a good one.
February 4th is said to be a particularly special day when the Lunar New Year falls, and the Dragon comes into power. From Feb 10, the Yang energy of Wood (the ruling element of this year and associated with growth, inspiration, and expansion) will come into play so prepare for some unpredictability… at least you won’t be bored. In fact, it’s especially powerful if you’ve been feeling stuck and craving change – the energy of the Wood Dragon is said to help spark new changes!
In summary, the 2024 Year of the Wood Dragon is said to be a year of good fortune, strength, confidence, success, and exciting new adventures.
Our favourite Lunar New Year tradition… Red Envelopes!
Of course, it’s an incredible and important time of year for clearing out the old to make way for the new, and for spending time with family and honouring ancestors. These beautiful and cherished traditions cannot be understated.
However, of course, we do have a favourite tradition based on our Travel Money niche… Red Envelopes, or, Hongbao.
In this tradition, elder family members gift their children and grandchildren red envelopes filled with money (symbolising prosperity), to bestow good fortune for the year ahead. This abundance-bringing tradition can also be extended to colleagues and friends!
Send a Red Envelope to loved ones overseas…
Of course, at any time you can always send money overseas with our Travel Money Transfers service! Powered by Send FX, this international money transfer service is super quick (can be same day or sometimes even in minutes!), super easy, and often beats the major banks’ exchange rates by up to 3%.
We offer a Rate Beat Guarantee, and a dedicated account manager, so you’re in safe hands.
T&Cs apply. Learn more here.
Travelling to Asia for Lunar New Year celebrations?
If you're heading to any of these countries to celebrate Lunar New Year, you'll need to exchange your AUD into one of these currencies:
Holiday spending money for your 2024 Lunar New Year
Wherever you’re heading in 2024, we’ve got the foreign currency you need for your holiday! Order currency online for same-day delivery or pickup, or visit our friendly experts in store.
This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate, or is appropriate for you. We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog.
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