Philosophically this is the true New Year, because it is the real beginning of spring, while Chun Fen (Aries) is the summit of spring. Some people call it Qiao Chun (Hand-over to Spring). Of importance is Li Chun (Establish Spring) on February 4, which is exactly midway between Dong Ze and Chun Fen. People go to clean graveyards which otherwise will be covered by grass. Qing Ming (Clear and Bright) on April 5, 15 days after Chun Fen. It is supposed to be sunny but not too hot. At this time the sun is exactly at the equator. To celebrate, warm soups of ginger and wheat-balls are served.Ĭhun Fen (Aries Point) on March 21. At this time the sun is at the southmost. The important ones are:ĭong Ze (Winter Summit/Solstice) on December 22. The beginning of each period is identified by a name corresponding to the position of the sun. Moreover, the solar year (365 or 366 days) is divided into 24 periods, each consisting of 15 or 16 days. Actually Chinese lunar system ( Ying Lik) also takes into consideration the solar system by adding a month every certain years. Many people think Chinese use the lunar system only. Most of us use the Gregorian system which is accepted internationally. But if we want to be more specific, it depends on which calendar system is in use. When is New Year? Most people will answer January 1. Counting the number (24) of “new moons” from the 1998 Lunar New Year will give the start of that Lunar Year. To determine the Lunar New Year of another year, for example 1991, refer to a calendar. As the nights progress, the moon becomes fuller and fuller until the fifteenth of the month when there is a “full moon,” the brightest evening of the month. The first day of the lunar year is the “Lunar New Year.” There are 12 lunar months in the year and by definition the evening of the first day of the month is the darkest night of the month. ![]() ![]() It is not the “Chinese New Year” but the “Lunar New Year” as the date is celebrated by many others besides the Chinese. The Lunar New Year is determined by cycles of the moon and therefore the dates are movable, each new year commencing on the new moon which occurred in the late January or February of the Western Calendar. Both are literally “New Year Happiness!” or “Happy New Year!” (The first is Mandarin the second, Cantonese. Both are literally “Wishing you prosperity!”) Xin Nian Kuai Le! (The first is Cantonese the second, Mandarin.
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