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More than just a calendar change, the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a two-week extravaganza wishing for good fortune and fresh beginnings. Preparations begin weeks prior, with homes undergoing transformations to push back bad luck and make way for prosperity. Doors are adorned, feasts are planned, and cleaning, decorations, and many more things are done.But wait, all these things are not done on January 1. Why? Because Chinese New Year is not celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar but instead according to their Chinese calendar, which is based on the lunar phases.
The starting phase of the new moon marks the initiation of the new month. In this lunar cycle, the new moon represents the phase when the moon’s surface is entirely dark. Moving ahead through the process, the transition from crescent moon to full moon and then again to the new moon marks the initiation of each month.
The evening when the new moon becomes visible is acknowledged as the inaugural day of the month. Regardless of the specific time it becomes visible, that moment marks the commencement of the new month. For instance, if the new moon rises at 8 pm, the entire day is recognized as the initial day of the upcoming month.
Observing the lunar cycle reveals its consistent fluctuation from month to month. Consequently, the number of days in a month undergoes variations from year to year, contingent upon the observed moon phases. The ancient Chinese civilization keenly observed these lunar occurrences to ensure consistency and prevent conflicting results.
As time progresses, the duration of a Chinese year experiences fluctuations, ranging between 353 and 355 days, with leap years extending to 383 and 385 days. Similar to other ancient calendar systems, the Chinese calendar adapts to changes in astronomy, ensuring its continued accuracy. Hence, Chinese New Year always ranges from January 21 to February 21.
This year, Chinese New Year is marking its beginning on February 10th, 2024, and similar to every year, people are filled with joy, fun, and happiness to welcome this new year.
The starting phase of the new moon marks the initiation of the new month. In this lunar cycle, the new moon represents the phase when the moon’s surface is entirely dark. Moving ahead through the process, the transition from crescent moon to full moon and then again to the new moon marks the initiation of each month.
The evening when the new moon becomes visible is acknowledged as the inaugural day of the month. Regardless of the specific time it becomes visible, that moment marks the commencement of the new month. For instance, if the new moon rises at 8 pm, the entire day is recognized as the initial day of the upcoming month.
Observing the lunar cycle reveals its consistent fluctuation from month to month. Consequently, the number of days in a month undergoes variations from year to year, contingent upon the observed moon phases. The ancient Chinese civilization keenly observed these lunar occurrences to ensure consistency and prevent conflicting results.
As time progresses, the duration of a Chinese year experiences fluctuations, ranging between 353 and 355 days, with leap years extending to 383 and 385 days. Similar to other ancient calendar systems, the Chinese calendar adapts to changes in astronomy, ensuring its continued accuracy. Hence, Chinese New Year always ranges from January 21 to February 21.
This year, Chinese New Year is marking its beginning on February 10th, 2024, and similar to every year, people are filled with joy, fun, and happiness to welcome this new year.
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