Lunar New Year prayers, robots and festivities usher in the Year of the Horse

Millions across Asia and around the world ushered in the Lunar New Year on Tuesday with traditional celebrations, modern technology, and cultural displays that bridged ancient customs with contemporary innovations.

The transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse brought festive crowds to temples, public squares, and family gatherings in what is considered the most significant annual holiday in China and several other East Asian countries.

In Beijing, thousands flocked to the former Temple of Earth for a traditional fair, browsing stalls selling snacks, toys, and trinkets. The atmosphere evoked nostalgic memories for many attendees, including visitor Sun Jing, who brought her parents to the capital for the celebrations.

“I haven’t felt such a strong sense of Lunar New Year festivity in a very, very long time,” Sun remarked, capturing the emotional significance of the holiday for many Chinese families who often travel long distances to reunite during this period.

Temples across the region saw surges of visitors burning incense and offering prayers for prosperity and good fortune in the coming year. In Hong Kong, crowds lined up at midnight to make wishes as incense smoke filled the air. Worshippers bowed repeatedly before placing incense sticks in containers, following traditions that have endured for centuries.

Meanwhile, China’s state broadcaster CCTV presented its annual Spring Festival Gala, a television tradition watched by millions. This year’s program showcased the nation’s technological prowess through a martial arts performance featuring children alongside humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics. The robots demonstrated complex movements and even wielded swords, highlighting China’s growing ambitions in robotics and artificial intelligence.

The robotic display drew mixed reactions. While some viewers praised the performance as inspirational for young people, others like Beijing resident Li Bo felt it diminished the traditional holiday spirit. “It lacks a bit of the New Year atmosphere,” Li said. “It’s not as enjoyable as when I was little watching the gala.”

The integration of cutting-edge technology into the celebration reflects China’s strategic push to advance its capabilities in robotics, a sector where the country has invested heavily as part of its broader economic development plans.

Across Southeast Asia, Vietnam celebrated with countdown events and elaborate fireworks displays in multiple cities. Known locally as Tet, the festival saw light shows illuminating bridges and skyscrapers while crowds gathered for live music performances, clapping in rhythm as fireworks brightened the night sky.

The celebration extended far beyond Asia. In Moscow, two weeks of festivities began Monday with street fairs offering Chinese cuisine and decorations of red lanterns and dragons adorning snowy streets. This third annual Lunar New Year celebration in the Russian capital coincides with strengthening China-Russia relations, a diplomatic alignment that has caused concern among European nations due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In Taiwan, the solemn ringing of a temple bell echoed 108 times—a number considered auspicious—at Taipei’s Baoan Temple as worshippers lit incense sticks, bowed their heads in prayer, and left colorful flower bouquets as offerings.

The global reach of Lunar New Year celebrations was further demonstrated in Buenos Aires, where thousands gathered in the city’s Chinatown. Argentina’s dynamic Chinese community, numbering more than 180,000 people, organized dragon and lion dances along with martial arts demonstrations that attracted both Chinese immigrants and local Argentines.

These worldwide celebrations underscore how the Lunar New Year has transcended its regional origins to become a global cultural phenomenon, bringing together communities through shared traditions while adapting to local contexts and embracing technological innovation.

As the Year of the Horse begins, the holiday continues to evolve, balancing reverence for ancient customs with the realities of a rapidly changing world.