Happy Chinese New Year!
Festivities are organized around the world to properly celebrate the arrival of this new year, known as the "Spring Festival" or "Lunar New Year".
Festivities are organized around the world to properly celebrate the arrival of this new year, known as the "Spring Festival" or "Lunar New Year". Deeply rooted in many Asian countries (Chine, Vietnam, South Korea and Malaysia), Chinese New Year celebrations can vary from region to region.
But for many, the event remains above all a family moment spent with loved ones. Preceded by a thorough spring cleaning, the New Year's Eve feast is generous and the dishes symbolize good health, wealth and prosperity.
This year 2018, the Dog (11th sign of the Chinese zodiac) takes center stage; a sign that brings good health and a flexible, loyal character.
Why is it never on the same date?
While the New Year is invariably celebrated on January 1st in the West, Chinese New Year is celebrated either in January or in February. Why does the date change each year? It is simply the result of the traditional Chinese calendar based on the annual cycle of the Sun as well as the phases of the Moon. It is known as a lunisolar calendar. This calendar contains lunar months that begin with each new Moon, that is, every 29 or 30 days. Thus, comprising 12 lunar months, a Chinese year lasts approximately 354 days. Too short compared to Earth's movement around the Sun. Accordingly, Chinese New Year falls on the first new Moon of the year as defined by our calendar, either between January 21 and February 20. Or on the second new Moon after the winter solstice.
2018, the year of the Dog!
On Friday, February 16, 2018, all Asian communities around the world celebrate the transition from the year of the Fire Rooster to that of the Earth Dog. The sign of the Dog has Libra as its equivalent European astrological sign. It is compatible with the signs of the Tiger and Horse, and its qualities are honesty, reliability, insight, selflessness and devotion. It can also be temperamental, humorous and adventurous. Among famous Dogs, we find Jane Birkin, Alec Baldwin, Albert II of Monaco, Mother Teresa, Elvis Presley, Sharon Stone, Julien Doré, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and also the President of the United States, Donald Trump. To find out your astrological sign, visit our article on Chinese astrological signs
Frequently asked questions
Chinese New Year 2018 was celebrated on Friday, February 16, 2018. This date corresponds to the first new Moon after January 21, according to the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar.
Chinese New Year is based on a lunisolar calendar that follows both the Moon's phases and the Sun's movement. It always falls on the first new Moon of the year, between January 21 and February 20.
2018 is the year of the Earth Dog, the 11th sign of the Chinese zodiac. People born under this sign are known for their honesty, loyalty and devotion.
Chinese New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries, notably in Chine, Vietnam, South Korea and Malaysia. Festivities also take place in Chinese communities around the world.
The Spring Festival is the official name of Lunar New Year in Chine. It is one of the most important celebrations of the year, marked by family gatherings, fireworks and a grand New Year's Eve feast symbolizing good health and prosperity.
