Are Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year the Same Thing? Simply put, Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are not the same. Despite being related, there are a few noteworthy differences between the two. Read on to find out what they are. The Differences between Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year 1. Why does Chinese New Year fall on different dates? Rather than following the western Gregorian Calendar with 365-day years, the Chinese New Year follows a lunar calendar based the moon's 12 phases. Chinese New Year is actually only one festival under the umbrella term of Lunar New Year, which is a festival that occurs on the first day of a new year in the lunisolar calendar, a calendar that Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are two terms that often get used interchangeably - but they are not necessarily the same thing. Lunar New Year refers to the celebration of the new year based The terms Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year are often used interchangeably. But it’s not the same. Although both celebrate the start of a new year according to the lunar calendar, they have different meanings, traditions, and cultural significance. The start of the new year is a time of great celebration around the world. However, not all new years are celebrated on the same date or in the same way. In many Asian countries, Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, is one of the most important holidays. Lunar New Year celebrations can last up to 15 days, starting on the new moon between late January and mid-February. The exact date varies each year based on the lunar calendar. The new year begins The Lunar New Year is the beginning of a calendar year whose months are cycles of the moon. Unlike New Year's Day always falls on Jan 1st based on the Gregorian calendar, Lunar New Year's Day falls on different days each year. Different countries celebrated it on different dates. Differences between the Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year You probably already know about Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is a lunar new year celebration that’s similar to lunar calendars used by Tibetans, Hindus, certain Buddhist groups, and even one sect of Judaism. Lunar New Year is celebrated when the first new lunar cycle starts with a new moon. (A new moon is the absence of the moon.) A longstanding debate over the usage of “Chinese New Year” versus “Lunar New Year” has reignited in recent weeks as people around the world celebrated the holiday, with brands and Explore the traditions and significance of the Year of the Snake as we welcome Chinese New Year 2025. it takes 60 years for the same animal sign and element combination to occur. This year, the Chinese New Year celebration falls on Jan. 29, 2025. Historically, each year falls under one of 12 zodiac animals. Rankings of the year fall based on the order of how animals placed in a legendary race judged by the Jade Emperor. Starting with the rat as the first zodiac and the pig [] A shop selling decorations for the Chinese New Year in Wuhan, China (). The fireworks at Singapore's River Hongbao during the Lantern Festival in 2015. Chinese New Year, known in China as the Spring Festival and in Singapore as the Lunar New Year, is a holiday on and around the new moon on the first day of the year in the traditional Chinese calendar. KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 — On January 29, people of Chinese ancestry all around the world will usher in the Year of the Snake, the sixth animal in the zodiac, as they celebrate the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or in countries with four seasons, the Spring Festival. Pre-Chinese New Year Preparations and Activities (Jan. 7–Feb. 12, 2025) Jan. 7, 2025: Laba Festival. Some Chinese start to celebrate and prepare for Chinese New Year as early as day 8 of the 12 th month of the lunar calendar. The Lunar New Year is traditionally a time for food, festivities, and family gatherings. It is celebrated in many countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. The Chinese New Year of 2025 falls on January 29th (Wednesday), and will last to February 2nd. It is the Year of Snake.As an official public holiday, Chinese people can get eight days' off from work, from January 28th to February 4th. 2025 chinese lunar new year - year of the snake - official genuine product ** we ship same day as payment ** Although the calendar for each lunar new year starts a little later—sometime in January or February of the Gregorian calendar—the zodiac animals still roughly correspond to years in the western calendar. The year 2025, for example, is the Year of the Snake, while 2026 will be the Year of the Horse. 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. ( Note: China follows the Gregorian calendar for daily business but still follows the Chinese calendar for important festivals, auspicious dates for events such as weddings, and the Moon phases.)
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