NEW YORK—Saturday, January 25, 2020 marked the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar, which also marks the beginning of a Lunar New Year. This time, we’re celebrating the Year of the Rat. According to chinesenewyear.net, the rat is the first of the zodiac animals, and can represent the beginning of a day, wealth and surplus. For millions of people around the world, Chinese and Lunar New Year mark a time to come together with family, friends and loved ones to wish the old year goodbye and celebrate the dawn of a new one. This year, many independents also shared New Year wishes on their social media accounts. No rats were harmed in the making of this round-up.


Luxeye Optical, which has three locations in New York City, shared good wishes for the New Year on their Instagram account, as well as an announcement that their Chinatown location would close early for the New Year. Image via Luxeye Optical on Instagram.



Luminance Vision, in Lafayette, California, is celebrating the fact that their very own Mei Fleming, OD, was born in the year of the rat. Image via Luminance Vision on Instagram.



Brooklyn Spectacles, in Brooklyn, New York, also closed early to celebrate the New Year. Image via Brooklyn Spectacles on Instagram.




Michelle Ahumada, OD, of What a Spectacle Optometry in Rancho Mission Viejo, California, shared a happy picture of Buddha to ring in the New Year. Image via What a Spectacle Optometry on Instagram.