Since the mid-1990s people in China have been given seven consecutive days off work during the Chinese New Year. This week of relaxation has been designated Spring Festival, a term that is sometimes used to refer to the Chinese New Year in general. The origins of the Chinese New Year are steeped in legend. One legend is that thousands of years 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 In contexts outside of China, referring to Lunar New Year as "Chinese New Year" and vice versa can come off as insensitive and offensive because it ignores other cultures, all of which have their own unique traditions, beliefs, and celebrations. 2. How each Asian country celebrates and names their New Year festival is different. Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in some countries and territories with a sizable Chinese population. Since Chinese New Year falls on different days of the week each year, some of these governments choose to adjust working days to create a longer public holiday. Chinese New Year specifically refers to the celebration in China and among Chinese communities worldwide, while Lunar New Year is a broader term that includes various cultures and countries that follow the lunar calendar. The main differences between Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year are as follows: 1. Cultural Significance 2. Customs and Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the New Year celebration specific to China. Culturally, Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year are celebrated in similar ways. 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. In China, there is no difference between the Chinese New Year and the Lunar New Year. 4. Why Doesn't Chinese New Year Fall on New Year's Day? Chinese New Year is never on January 1. Chinese have a different traditional date for New Year. Chinese New Year's date is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar, which is always 21–51 days behind the corresponding Gregorian (international) calendar date. The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back to about 3,500 years ago. Chinese New Year has evolved over a long period of time and its customs have undergone a long development process. A Legend of the Origin of Chinese New Year. Like all traditional festivals in China, Chinese New Year is steeped with stories and myths. Lunar New Year, festival typically celebrated in China and other Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later. The dates of the holiday vary from year to year, beginning some time between January 21 and February 20. Each Chinese lunar year has a Chinese zodiac sign animal. The Chinese zodiac year's stsarting date is a little different from the Gregorian year. It starts from Chinese New Year. The Chinese zodiac years chart below is provided to help you find out the exact starting and ending dates of the Chinese zodiac years. (This is especially useful for The Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Wood Snake. This article explores the snake's dual symbolism—representing potential dangers and good fortune, rebirth and wisdom. The Wood element adds nurturing and growth to the Snake's energy, promising a year of personal development, strong relationships, and environmental consciousness. Learn about the unique traits of the Wood Snake year and 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 Different countries across Asia celebrate the new year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. What is the Lunar New Year? The Lunar New Year — known as the Spring Festival in China , Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival celebrated in several Asian countries. The most important food during Chinese New Year is the dumplings, which are made with flour and stuffed with different fillings. It is a custom to eat dumplings on the New Year’s Eve, the 1st and the 5th day of the New Year. The legal holiday is seven days long, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month. Some companies and public institutions enjoy a longer holiday up to 10 days or more, because in common knowledge among Chinese people, the festival lasts longer, from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the first lunar month (Lantern Festival). From lucky foods to traditional greetings, we answer your questions about Lunar New Year. #chinesenewyear #rabbit #202 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. In diaspora communities, particularly in cultural enclaves, Lunar New Year is visibly and joyfully celebrated. | In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Different countries across Traditionally, Chinese New Year is a special time to Saturday will mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year in China — a holiday that falls on different days each year, due to the use of different kinds of calendars.
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