![]() ![]() The celestial, or heavenly stem, is taken from a rotating list of 10 terms concerning the yin/yang forms of five elements.By this, a year’s name contains two parts: the celestial stem and the terrestrial branch. On a broader scale, the Chinese lunisolar calendar counts its years according to the stem-branch system, a 60-year rotating name system also known as the Chinese sexagenary cycle. The animal designation changes at the start of the New Year. Therefore, the Chinese year usually begins several weeks into the Western 365-day year (usually between January 21 and February 20), not on January 1 of the Gregorian calendar.Īs is ancient tradition, the Chinese zodiac attaches animal signs to each lunar year in a cycle of 12 years. The traditional Chinese lunisolar year has 12 months and 353 to 355 days (or during a leap year, 13 months and 383 to 385 days). ![]() Image courtesy of Viktoria Bykova How the Chinese Zodiac Works They are considered to be natural leaders, confident and unafraid to take risks, making them magnetic personalities in social and professional circles. Those born in the Year of the Dragon believed to be ambitious, energetic, and charismatic, often inspiring others with their passion and enthusiasm. What Qualities Does the Dragon Represent? In 2024, we ring in the Year of the Dragon one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The animal designations of the zodiac follow a 12-year cycle and are always used in the same sequence. According to tradition, no one should pick up a broom in case you sweep the good luck for the New Year out of the door! What Is the Animal for Chinese New Year This Year? People clean their homes and open their doors to let good luck enter. Sometimes, offerings are made to temples. Many children receive “lucky money” in red envelopes. “Good Luck” is also a common theme of the New Year. Longevity NoodlesĪnother popular recipe for New Year is Chinese Dumplings, symbolizing good luck and wealth. Families wrap them up and eat them as the clock strikes midnight. Of course, much delicious food is made and served! For the New Year, it’s traditional to serve long noodles, symbolizing a long life. The festivities continue for two weeks, finishing with a special lantern festival, which signals the end of the New Year celebration period. There are dragon dances, performances, and festival parades with music and acrobatics. ![]() ![]() Man-made paper lanterns are hung by the hundreds in public areas, bringing good luck to the new year. (Occasionally, the date celebrated may differ by one day or even one moon cycle due to time zones and other factors.) How Is the Lunar New Year Celebrated?Īs with many winter solstice celebrations, the symbolic darkness of night is banished by the light of fireworks, lanterns, and candles. Many other countries in East Asia, including Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, hold their own New Year celebrations at this time. Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most celebrated and longest of all Asian festivals and is observed by millions of people around the world. ( Note: China follows the Gregorian calendar for daily business but still follows the Chinese calendar for important festivals, auspicious dates such as wedding dates, and the Moon phases.) Who Celebrates Lunar New Year?Īlthough this holiday is commonly called “Chinese New Year” in the West, China is not the only country to observe it. Just like New Year according to the Gregorian calendar (January 1), Lunar New Year celebrations start on the night before the first day of the new year. The Chinese lunisolar calendar shares some similarities with the Hebrew calendar, which is also lunisolar, and it has influenced other East Asian calendars, such as those of Korea and Vietnam.īecause the Chinese calendar defines the lunar month containing the winter solstice as the 11th month, the Lunar New Year usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. This ancient calendar dates back to the 14th century BCE (whereas the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582). The traditional Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which is based on astronomical observations of the Sun’s position in the sky and the Moon’s phases. See our Moon Phase Calendar for local times.) Why Are There Different New Years? (Note: Due to the difference in time zones, the new Moon may technically occur one calendar date earlier or later in the United States. When Is Easter 2024? | How Is Easter’s Date Determined? ![]()
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