Happy Lunar New Year: Greetings and Cards for a Prosperous New Year

For those who follow the lunar calendar, the new year is one of the most sacred times of year. It signifies a moment to renew good luck, prosperity, and health. It’s a time for family, feasts, and festive celebrations. 

But as with any holiday, it can sometimes be a challenge to find the right words to share your well wishes. With these ideas for messages and card designs, you can send friends, colleagues, and loved ones a Happy Lunar New Year greeting that’s sure to make them smile. But first, let’s delve into some basics about the holiday that will deepen your appreciation for this special occasion.

What Is the Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year celebrates the beginning of a new year in countries that use calendars based on moon cycles — rather than solar calendars like the Gregorian calendar used in most countries today. The lunar calendar is used for rituals including holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Ramadan, and the Chinese New Year. The Lunar New Year is based on China’s lunisolar calendar and occurs in January each year.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated for several days, not just one day. Lunar New Year celebrations begin with the first new moon on the first day of the first lunar month and end on the next full moon. In many countries, the final night of celebration is marked by a lantern festival. 

While the Lunar New Year is closely associated with China — the holiday is based on the Chinese calendar, after all — it’s also celebrated by many other Asian cultures. In fact, Lunar New Year is celebrated all across Asia as well as in the Middle East by Islamic and Jewish communities.

How Is the Lunar New Year Celebrated?

Different countries and cultures celebrate Lunar New Year differently. In general, the occasion is marked by eating special dishes, spending time with family, and incorporating superstitions that bring good luck in the new year. 

In the Chinese New Year celebration tradition, people wear red and gold — colors that symbolize good fortune. They eat traditional foods like dumplings and bao and host the famous lion dance. The Lunar New Year in China is also called the Spring Festival or Guo Nian. Each year corresponds with a Chinese zodiac animal (2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, 2022 was the Year of the Tiger, and 2021 was the Year of the Ox). Observers send red envelopes with money — called Hongbao in Mandarin — to unmarried individuals and children as a symbol of good luck. 

In Korea, people wear traditional Korean clothes called hanbok, eat rice cakes, and fly kites for good luck. In Vietnam, observers go to the temple and engage in rituals such as paying off all debts and not throwing anything away on New Year’s Day to avoid bad luck. Vietnamese tradition also has families giving each other money in red envelopes for prosperity and good fortune.

In the Philippines, families gather together to eat sticky rice dishes and round-shaped fruits that are said to bring good fortune. Many choose to wear polka dots — another tribute to round shapes that are believed to bring good luck. People leave their windows and doors open and firecrackers are set off to chase away bad spirits.

Greetings for a Happy Lunar New Year 

Whether you’re celebrating Lunar New Year or have friends, family, or colleagues who partake, sending a New Year’s greeting card is a great way to honor the holiday. Below are some thoughtful ways to wish someone a Happy Lunar New Year.

Chinese Greetings

Chinese New Year greetings — and those shared in other Asian countries — often include wishes of prosperity and good health. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and focus on moving into the new year with good luck.

Here are a few Lunar New Year greetings in Chinese:

• XÄ«nniĂĄn kuĂ ilĂš (新ćčŽćż«äč â€” Mandarin for “Good New Year”)
• Gong hei fat choy (æ­ć–œć‘èŽą — Cantonese for “Wishing you happiness and prosperity”)
• Gƍng xǐ fā cĂĄi (æ­ć–œć‘èŽą Mandarin for “Happiness and Prosperity”)
• Shēn tǐ jiĂ n kāng (èș«äœ“恄ćș· — Chinese Pinyin for “Enjoy good health”)
• JĂ­ xiĂĄng rĂș yĂŹ (ć‰ç„„ćŠ‚æ„ — Mandarin for “Good fortune according to your wishes”)

Vietnamese Greetings

In Vietnam, wishes are shared on the first morning of the new year. Greetings include mentions of good health, wealth, and success in all endeavors.

Here are some ways to send happy Lunar New Year greetings in Vietnamese:

• ChĂșc Mừng Năm Mới (“Happy New Year”)
• Cung hỉ phĂĄt tĂ i (“Congratulations and prosper”)
• Cung chĂșc TĂąn XuĂąn (“Best wishes for the new spring”)

Korean Greetings

In Korea, people visit their hometowns and families during the New Year. Wishes for happiness for the family and prosperity are commonplace this time of year. 

Here are two ways you can wish people a Happy Lunar New Year in Korean:

• Saehae bok mani badeusipsio (formal “Happy New Year)
• Saehae bok mani badeuseyo (standard “Happy New Year”)

English Greetings

If you’re sending well wishes in English, keep with the themes of prosperity, happiness, and good health when crafting your words.

• Wishing you luck, prosperity, and a Happy New Year!
• Happy Chinese New Year! We wish you and yours a year full of health, wealth, and prosperity.
• Hope this New Year brings you peace, success, and much happiness.
• Enjoy every moment of this festive time of year. Hope you have a wonderful time feasting and celebrating with your family.
• Wishing you and your loved ones lots of luck this year and always!

Lunar New Year Cards For You to Customize

Looking for a Lunar New Year card you can use to write well wishes? At Greenvelope, you’ll find hundreds of digital cards, including Lunar New Year cards you can personalize and send within minutes.

1. Horned Dragon Invitation

Design: Lisa Travis

This Lunar New Year invite features lucky red hues and a traditional dragon that’s ready to celebrate the new year. Use it as an invitation for celebrations with family, friends, and coworkers, or update the template to make it a lovely greeting card. 

2. Lantern Glow Card

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Featuring glowing red lanterns, this vibrant card is ideal for sending wishes of prosperity and happiness to loved ones. Customize the color, text, and envelope to make it unique.

3. Lucky Coins Card

Design: Bonjour Berry (photo courtesy of Angela & Evan Photography)

Let this bright greeting card be a good luck charm for all those who receive it. Featuring a photo slot for your favorite image, a red background for good luck, and gold coins for prosperity, it’s sure to bring a smile to your loved ones’ faces.

4. Celebratory Meal Invitation

Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery

This celebratory invite features a plate full of traditional Lunar New Year foods including dumplings, noodles, and spring rolls. With red, green, and gold colorways, it’s ideal for honoring the Lunar New Year festivities.

5. Coral Lantern Trio Card

Design: aticnomar designs & art

Gold foil accents give this understated New Year card a touch of elegance. It’s ideal for sending greetings for a healthy and wealthy new year.

Celebrate Wealth, Health, and Prosperity

Celebrating the Lunar New Year is a very special occasion rooted in traditions that span centuries as well as geography. With colorful motifs and thoughtful practices, it’s a time to reflect as well as look ahead. Whether you celebrate the holiday or simply want to say “Happy Lunar New Year” to those who do, these wording and card ideas will help you honor the moment and share the joy.