Are Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year the same thing?

IT’S the Year of the Ox, but this year celebrations look a little different to typical Chinese New Year celebrations. But it is also Lunar New Year, so what’s the difference? Are Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year the same thing? The Chinese New Year and Lunar New year are related to one another, […]

IT’S the Year of the Ox, but this year celebrations look a little different to typical Chinese New Year celebrations.

But it is also Lunar New Year, so what’s the difference?

Follow our Chinese New Year live blog for the latest information on what the Year of the Ox might have in store for you…

EPA

This year’s celebrations look a little different to years before[/caption]

Are Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year the same thing?

The Chinese New Year and Lunar New year are related to one another, but they aren’t the same thing.

The Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar.

The lunar calendar is based on complete cycles of phases of the moon.

The Ox is the second animal of the Chinese zodiac and symbolises hard work, positivity, and fertile harvest.

What is the Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year takes place every year on February 12 and marks the day the cycles of the lunisolar calendars reset.

It is also known as Spring Festival. In China the festivities are known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, they don’t call it Chinese New Year.

A lunar year is shorter than a solar year – which is the time the earth takes to orbit the sun – with around 354 days or 12 cycles of the moon.

Last year was the Year of the Rat and this year is now the Year of the Ox.

Does the date change every year?

A lunar year is shorter than a solar year – which is the time the earth takes to orbit the sun – with around 354 days or 12 cycles of the moon.

It can fall in either January or February each year and the date changes annually too.

Traditionally, thousands celebrate Chinese New Year with parades and fireworks, but the celebration will look a little different this year due to Coronavirus.

The Chinese New Year festival usually lasts for for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s eve to the Lantern Festival.

In 2021, it is from February 11 to February 26.

Reuters

A lunar year is shorter than a solar year – which is the time the earth takes to orbit the sun – with around 354 days or 12 cycles of the moon[/caption]