Cora Davis
Ramadan, Lent, Lunar New Year

Ramadan is a cultured holiday where muslims fast for 29-30 days as a fasting, prayer, and reflection period. Which also gives them a month to celebrate the Quran when it was first to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is celebrated from February 17th to March 19th.
Ramadan first started in 622 A.D. in Medina in a time of very extreme heat. Ramadan translates to “intense heat” in Arabic where it has been given its name today. Approximately 2 billion Muslims celebrate Ramadan. Muslims have rules for Ramadan, those include; from dawn to sunset, don’t have food, any sort of liquids, absolutely no smoking or sexual activity. They did this to practice self-discipline and God-consciousness.

Lent is a Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist tradition. It’s a 40-day season, (The days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.) starting on Ash Wednesday and ending before Easter. Christians in solemnity spend 40 days in prayer, fasting. They do this to prepare for Easter.  Between the ages 18-59, they are required to only eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Meat is forbidden on those days and all Fridays during lent starting at the age of 14. Lent has been practiced since the beginning of the fourth century.

Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new year on the Chinese Lunisolar calendar. It’s said to be one of the most important holidays in Chinese history and culture. Lunar new year is celebrated by billions of people across east and Southeast Asia. This year Lunar new year had started on Feb 17, 2026, though the dates do vary depending on when the new moon happens. It ends on the next full moon, which gives a 15-day period of celebration. During the celebration, people hold reunion dinners, red envelopes (hongbao) and fireworks. It’s marked by wearing the color red and attending the lantern festival. Things to avoid: Cleaning and washing, it is said to keep it from sweeping away luck and/or wealth. Using sharp objects is believed to cut off fortune or cut ties with people. Breaking objects is a bad omen. Do not lend or borrow money because it will lead to financial struggles during the new year. Negative behavior/language will create a negative year. Avoid wearing black or white, these colors are connected to mourning.