Chinese New Year Explained

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Last updated: Wednesday December 28th, 2022
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Introduction

Hello everyone! The Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year starts on February 1st, 2022, so I figured that I would write an article about it. Hope you enjoy!
大家好！春节马上来了，所以我要写一篇关于新年的文章。
---Apologies for my bad Chinese, I haven't taken Chinese class in years (don't show this to my parents)---

The Lunisolar Calendar Explained

If you live in the United States, Canada, UK, or any other country considered to be "western," you probably use something called a solar calendar, sometimes without even realizing it. Think about it: it takes around 365.24 days to revolve around the sun, and there are 365 days in the year. But in some cultures, such as the Mayan` and Hindu calendar, use something called a lunar calendar. This is based on the phases of the moon. Think: the moon completes a cycle from a new moon to a full moon and back to a new moon in 29.5 days. In most of our calendars, one month is a 28, 29, 30, or 31 days, so just around one lunar cycle, but not quite. In lunar calendars, one month is 29.5 days, and the sun doesn't play a role in the calendar. But in lunisolar calendars, which is what some "eastern" cultures have, both the sun and the moon have a role in the calendar. In the Chinese calendar (which I am most familiar with), there are 365 days in the year plus leap years as in most "western" calendars, but months start and end during new moons. For example, there was a new moon in China on January 3rd. Here, take a look at my Chinese Calendar:

Zoom In:

Look at January 3rd. Under it in small text is 十二月/1, which in English means twevleth month, and is the first of that month. Under 4 is 初二/2, which translates to something like "second day" (if you don't speak Chinese, there is a number next to the Chinese). Now, let's go to February. February 1st has red text under it, reading 春節. 春 means "spring" and 節 means "festival" so you could say that 春節 translates to "spring festival." But most people know it by another name: Chinese New Year.

The Great Race and order of creatures

According to legend, there was, long ago, the ruler of the heavens organized a great race between all the animals the organize time. Each of the top 12 finishers would get a zodiac year (I will explain this a little later). There are many versions of the story, but here is the way that I researched it:
Most of the animals joined the race, wanting a zodiac year. The ox, cat, and rat made an agreement to ride on to of the ox, as they were small and had a hard time getting through water. When they were around halfway through, the cat fell asleep, and sensing an opportunity, the rat pushed the cat off the ox. Then, as the ox and the mouse were approaching the finnish line, the rat jumped off the ox, getting first place. The ox got second place. (I will talk about the cat later). The tiger came third, the rabbit fourth, and the dragon fifth, who stopped to help some other animals. The snake was next, who, according to legend, used to have four legs, but lost them while it was running towards the finish line. The horse was next, who galloped in the water, and would have came sixth, but was startled by the snake, who got past. Then was the chicken, monkey, and sheep, who worked together, and decided because of how much work they did, the sheep would get eighth, the monkey ninth, and the rooster tenth. In eleventh was the dog, and finally, in twevleth place came the pig, who had stopped to eat and take a nap. When the cat, who had previously been knocked off, got to the finnish line and found out it had gotten thirteenth place and thus didn't get a zodiac year, it was furious at the rat. This is, according to the legend, why cats don't like rats.
So, as a recap, here is the order of finishers:

Placement	Creature
1st	Rat
2nd	Ox
3rd	Tiger
4th	Rabbit
5th	Dragon
6th	Snake
7th	Horse
8th	Goat
9th	Monkey
10th	Rooster
11th	Dog
12th	Pig

Okay, so we know all the animals of the zodiac. But there is so much more. Plus, what does this all mean for us? Well...

What are you?

So, now we know the 12 animals. But there is much more. There are 10 heavenly stems (甲，乙，丙，丁，戊，己，庚，辛，壬，癸) that rotate in that order, 12 earthly branches (子，丑，寅，卯，辰，巳，午，未，申，酉，戌，亥）that each correspond to the animal in that numbered position (子 is rat, 丑 is ox, etc.). Every year is either Yin or Yang, switching each year, and to cap it all off, there are 5 elements that can be associated with a year: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. The cycle is as goes: Yang Wood, Yin Wood, Yang Fire, Yin Fire, etc. Okay, here is a table of years and elements. Let's pretend that it didn't take 12 hours to make:

Date (1924-1983)	Time (1984-2044)	Animal	Heavenly Stem	Yin/Yang	Element	Earthly Branch
Feb 05, 1924 – Jan 23 1925	Feb 02, 1984 – Feb 19 1985	Rat	子	Yang	Wood	甲
Jan 24, 1925 – Feb 12, 1926	Feb 20, 1985 – Feb 08, 1986	Ox	丑	Yin	Wood	乙
Feb 13, 1926 – Feb 01, 1927	Feb 09, 1986 – Jan 28, 1987	Tiger	寅	Yang	Fire	丙
Feb 02, 1927 – Jan 22, 1928	Jan 29, 1987 – Feb 16, 1988	Rabbit	卯	Yin	Fire	丁
Jan 23, 1928 – Feb 09, 1929	Feb 17, 1988 – Feb 05, 1989	Dragon	辰	Yang	Earth	戊
Feb 10, 1929 – Jan 29, 1930	Feb 06, 1989 – Jan 26, 1990	Snake	巳	Yin	Earth	己
Jan 30, 1930 – Feb 16, 1931	Jan 27, 1990 – Feb 14, 1991	Horse	午	Yang	Metal	庚
Feb 17, 1931 – Feb 05, 1932	Feb 15, 1991 – Feb 03, 1992	Goat	未	Yin	Metal	辛
Feb 06, 1932 – Jan 25, 1933	Feb 04, 1992 – Jan 22, 1993	Monkey	申	Yang	Water	壬
Jan 26, 1933 – Feb 13, 1934	Jan 23, 1993 – Feb 09, 1994	Rooster	酉	Yin	Water	癸
Feb 14, 1934 – Feb 03, 1935	Feb 10, 1994 – Jan 30, 1995	Dog	戌	Yang	Wood	甲
Feb 04, 1935 – Jan 23, 1936	Jan 31, 1995 – Feb 18, 1996	Pig	亥	Yin	Wood	乙
Jan 24, 1936 – Feb 10, 1937	Feb 19, 1996 – Feb 06, 1997	Rat	子	Yang	Fire	丙
Feb 11, 1937 – Jan 30, 1938	Feb 07, 1997 – Jan 27, 1998	Ox	丑	Yin	Fire	丁
Jan 31, 1938 – Feb 18, 1939	Jan 28, 1998 – Feb 15, 1999	Tiger	寅	Yang	Earth	戊
Feb 19, 1939 – Feb 07, 1940	Feb 16, 1999 – Feb 04, 2000	Rabbit	卯	Yin	Earth	己
Feb 08, 1940 – Jan 26, 1941	Feb 05, 2000 – Jan 23, 2001	Dragon	辰	Yang	Metal	庚
Jan 27, 1941 – Feb 14, 1942	Jan 24, 2001 – Feb 11, 2002	Snake	巳	Yin	Metal	辛
Feb 15, 1942 – Feb 04, 1943	Feb 12, 2002 – Jan 31, 2003	Horse	午	Yang	Water	壬
Feb 05, 1943 – Jan 24, 1944	Feb 01, 2003 – Jan 21, 2004	Goat	未	Yin	Water	癸
Jan 25, 1944 – Feb 12, 1945	Jan 22, 2004 – Feb 08, 2005	Monkey	申	Yang	Wood	甲
Feb 13, 1945 – Feb 01, 1946	Feb 09, 2005 – Jan 28, 2006	Rooster	酉	Yin	Wood	乙
Feb 02, 1946 – Jan 21, 1947	Jan 29, 2006 – Feb 17, 2007	Dog	戌	Yang	Fire	丙
Jan 22, 1947 – Feb 09, 1948	Feb 18, 2007 – Feb 06, 2008	Pig	亥	Yin	Fire	丁
Feb 10, 1948 – Jan 28, 1949	Feb 07, 2008 – Jan 25, 2009	Rat	子	Yang	Earth	戊
Jan 29, 1949 – Feb 16, 1950	Jan 26, 2009 – Feb 13, 2010	Ox	丑	Yin	Earth	己
Feb 17, 1950 – Feb 05, 1951	Feb 14, 2010 – Feb 02, 2011	Tiger	寅	Yang	Metal	庚
Feb 06, 1951 – Jan 26, 1952	Feb 03, 2011 – Jan 22, 2012	Rabbit	卯	Yin	Metal	辛
Jan 27, 1952 – Feb 13, 1953	Jan 23, 2012 – Feb 09, 2013	Dragon	辰	Yang	Water	壬
Feb 14, 1953 – Feb 02, 1954	Feb 10, 2013 – Jan 30, 2014	Snake	巳	Yin	Water	癸
Feb 03, 1954 – Jan 23, 1955	Jan 31, 2014 – Feb 18, 2015	Horse	午	Yang	Wood	甲
Jan 24, 1955 – Feb 11, 1956	Feb 19 2015 – Feb 07, 2016	Goat	未	Yin	Wood	乙
Feb 12, 1956 – Jan 30, 1957	Feb 08, 2016 – Jan 27, 2017	Monkey	申	Yang	Fire	丙
Jan 31, 1957 – Feb 17, 1958	Jan 28, 2017 – Feb 15, 2018	Rooster	酉	Yin	Fire	丁
Feb 18, 1958 – Feb 07, 1959	Feb 16, 2018 – Feb 04, 2019	Dog	戌	Yang	Earth	戊
Feb 08, 1959 – Jan 27, 1960	Feb 05, 2019 – Jan 24, 2020	Pig	亥	Yin	Earth	己
Jan 28, 1960 – Feb 14, 1961	Jan 25, 2020 – Feb 11, 2021	Rat	子	Yang	Metal	庚
Feb 15, 1961 – Feb 04, 1962	Feb 12, 2021 – Jan 31, 2022	Ox	丑	Yin	Metal	辛
Feb 05, 1962 – Jan 24, 1963	Feb 01, 2022 – Jan 21, 2023	Tiger	寅	Yang	Water	壬
Jan 25, 1963 – Feb 12, 1964	Jan 22, 2023 – Feb 09, 2024	Rabbit	卯	Yin	Water	癸
Feb 13, 1964 – Feb 01, 1965	Feb 10, 2024 – Jan 28, 2025	Dragon	辰	Yang	Wood	甲
Feb 02, 1965 – Jan 20, 1966	Jan 29, 2025 – Feb 16, 2026	Snake	巳	Yin	Wood	乙
Jan 21, 1966 – Feb 08, 1967	Feb 17, 2026 – Feb 05, 2027	Horse	午	Yang	Fire	丙
Feb 09, 1967 – Jan 29, 1968	Feb 06, 2027 – Jan 25, 2028	Goat	未	Yin	Fire	丁
Jan 30, 1968 – Feb 16, 1969	Jan 26, 2028 – Feb 12, 2029	Monkey	申	Yang	Earth	戊
Feb 17, 1969 – Feb 05, 1970	Feb 13, 2029 – Feb 02, 2030	Rooster	酉	Yin	Earth	己
Feb 06, 1970 – Jan 26, 1971	Feb 03, 2030 – Jan 22, 2031	Dog	戌	Yang	Metal	庚
Jan 27, 1971 – Feb 14, 1972	Jan 23, 2031 – Feb 10, 2032	Pig	亥	Yin	Metal	辛
Feb 15, 1972 – Feb 02, 1973	Feb 11, 2032 – Jan 30, 2033	Rat	子	Yang	Water	壬
Feb 03, 1973 – Jan 22, 1974	Jan 31, 2033 – Feb 18, 2034	Ox	丑	Yin	Water	癸
Jan 23, 1974 – Feb 10, 1975	Feb 19, 2034 – Feb 07, 2035	Tiger	寅	Yang	Wood	甲
Feb 11, 1975 – Jan 30, 1976	Feb 08, 2035 – Jan 27, 2036	Rabbit	卯	Yin	Wood	乙
Jan 31, 1976 – Feb 17, 1977	Jan 28, 2036 – Feb 14, 2037	Dragon	辰	Yang	Fire	丙
Feb 18, 1977 – Feb 06, 1978	Feb 15, 2037 – Feb 03, 2038	Snake	巳	Yin	Fire	丁
Feb 07, 1978 – Jan 27, 1979	Feb 04, 2038 – Jan 23, 2039	Horse	午	Yang	Earth	戊
Jan 28, 1979 – Feb 15, 1980	Jan 24, 2039 – Feb 11, 2040	Goat	未	Yin	Earth	己
Feb 16, 1980 – Feb 04, 1981	Feb 12, 2041 – Jan 21, 2042	Monkey	申	Yang	Metal	庚
Feb 05, 1981 – Jan 24, 1982	Feb 01, 2041 – Jan 21, 2042	Rooster	酉	Yin	Metal	辛
Jan 25, 1982 – Feb 12, 1983	Feb 10, 2043 – Jan 29, 2044	Dog	戌	Yang	Water	壬
Feb 13, 1983 – Feb 01, 1984	Feb 10, 2043 – Jan 29, 2044	Pig	亥	Yin	Water	癸

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Okay, So what does this mean for you? Here are some brief overviews on the traits, if you want to see more click on the links.

Rat

Rats are generally considered to be quick-witted and smart, but sometimes lack the courage to do things. Rats are ambitious and work very hard to reach goals.

Ox

Oxen are considered to be strong, trustworthy, and patient. Oxen are very determined but can also be very stubborn. Oxen were used in agriculture in ancient times, and were hard working.

Tiger

Tigers are powerful, tough, determined, and confident, but also talkative, stubborn, and aggressive. In the real world, Tigers are fierce hunters.

Rabbit

Rabbits are the luckiest of all the creatures. They are much more peaceful, and are artistic and creative. Rabbits are intelligent, but don't like to be criticized.

Dragon

The Dragon might be the most wanted creature of the zodiac. Dragons love competition and have a strong will to win. They don't fail very often, but if and when they do, they aren't really happy. Dragons set very high standards, and can be demanding and arrogant but confident and trustworthy.

Snake

Snakes are generally considered smart, wise, and charming. They are responsible, creative, and have are good at leadership. However, they can be very suspicious and lazy sometimes.

Horse

Horses are generous, willing to share things to others. They are also independent, but can also be stubborn and extravagant, spending money on sometimes unnecessary things.

Goat

Goats are one of the less-wanted zodiacs. Goats are hardworking and persistent, but are indecisive, timid, irresponsible, and can be sensitive to unclean food and air.

Monkey

Monkeys are very smart and can adapt to many different situations. They are also independent, and honest. They are always positive, but can be irritated very easily.

Rooster

Roosters are skilled with what they are doing, consistent in what they do, and ambitious, setting big goals. However, they can be overconfident in what they do and impatient.

Dog

Dogs are honest, straightforward, and stubborn at times where it is good to be stubborn. They are loyal, and patient, and active, and are a pretty good zodiac to have.

Pig

Pigs are kind, optimistic, and kind-hearted. They can get very stressed when in certain situations, and are gullible and don't have that many friends. Also, when they joke or play pranks, they won't know when to stop.

Traditions

Lunar New Year is one of the happiest times of the year for many people in Eastern Asian. Most people go home to celebrate with their families. In Korea, 36 out of 50 million people travel during Lunar New Year. But anyways, most places are closed, including schools, and most students have a few days off. Red and Yellow decorations can be found everywhere. Red is a lucky color in most Asian cultures, and yellow is similar to gold, which means wealth. You can find firecrackers and fireworks, which keep away bad luck. It's important to clean/organize your room, house, or apartment at this time, because that will attract good luck to you. In the big cities, you might be able to find parades, with dragons and dancing lions. Actually, I think there is a good chance of finding parades like these in almost any city that has a substantial Asian population. I’m talking about San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, New York, you know what I mean. But putting all the parades and stuff aside, Chinese New Year lasts either 15 or 16 days depending on the year. On the eve, there is a big feast that everyone in the family joins in. The last day of Chinese New Year is Lantern Festival, where lanterns are released. Children are given little red packets that include money inside.

Ending

I hope you enjoyed this article! Here are the sources that I used to make this article: Wikipedia, China Highlights, and the HTML editor I use, trinket

chinese-new-yearr-removebg-preview-removebg-preview-1

Level 55

Jan 28, 2022

In case if anyone wondering, here is how I made the audio recording:

1) I recorded the voiceover

2) I uploaded the file to a mp3 website (one that makes it end in .mp3)

3) I uploaded it with this code:

Level 55

Jan 26, 2022

Chinese New Year is in less than a week, so I decided to make this! Let me know if the audio recording works/doesn't work.

Level 57

Jan 26, 2022

The audio is amazing! How did you do that?

Level 55

Jan 26, 2022

How did you respond that fast?

Anyways, I converted a m4a (which is what my computer records it as) to mp3, then uploaded it, then used an < audio > tag to get it in.

< audio

controls="controls" src="mp3 link"> < / audio >

Level 57

Jan 26, 2022

I just released my own blog and I went to the RUB. ~~I also speed read~~ Thanks!

Level 55

Jan 26, 2022

No problem! I also saw your blog

Level 43

Jan 26, 2022

If you do your own audio you have on your files, how do you get the link? I think I’ll try that besides the links I putted on RRR for the anthems.

Level 51

Jan 27, 2022

For this entire time, I thought that audio tags were banned on JetPunk...

Level 43

Jan 27, 2022

I think I tried doing an HTML code with audio for Minas Gerais blog, but it wasn’t allowing me. And when I asked Stewart, he said the audio tag was banned.

Level 55

Jan 27, 2022

I’ll ask Stewart if it’s allowed

Level 43

Jan 27, 2022

No, I mean like, when you save the blog, the HTML disappear.

Level 65

Jan 26, 2022

Yay, I'm no longer the only JetPunker who has a voice reveal! I haven't read/listened yet but just from the voice idea I know this will be amazing!

Level 43

Jan 26, 2022

~~And we don’t know Quizmaster voice still lol~~

Level 59

Jan 26, 2022

should i voice reveal lol

Level 43

Jan 27, 2022

We could do a JetPunk Conference lol. But this is just impossible lol

Level 63

Jan 30, 2022

We could do a meet up lol but that would be impossible too since most of us are children and live on the other side of the world to one another lol.

Level 55

Jan 30, 2022

lol I guess we could use zoom or something like that

Level 43

Jan 26, 2022

WAIT A MINUTE!

I tried putting an audio on a blog of Minas Gerais, but Stewart said it wasn’t possible. How did you do that!? Hopefully we can have all the HTML for we use here (with no abuse, that is why we have partially the use).

This is amazing. First spot on BG, and the Metallic Artists Award for you :)

And Happy Chinese New Year

Level 55

Jan 27, 2022

Thanks! I used an < audio > tag to make it work.

Level 43

Jan 27, 2022

But how did you get the link if it was on your archives?

Level 55

Jan 27, 2022

I uploaded it to a site called mail box drive (Any other site that makes the link end in .mp3 can work)

Level 43

Jan 27, 2022

Oh, thanks!

Level 60

Jan 26, 2022

Very interesting! I only new about the animals, not the other things. Well written and amazing blog.

Level 55

Jan 27, 2022

Thanks!!

Level 59

Jan 26, 2022

After 1975 in the chart it goes back to 1952-1953 for some reason, maybe you forgot to edit when you copy and pasted maybe. Anyways, amazing blog! But also a rabbit would not have a fun time making blogs on the RUB lol

Level 59

Jan 26, 2022

also please save me the calendar is too realistic it basically describes me completely lol

Level 55

Jan 27, 2022

Thanks! I fixed the mistake.

Level 73

Jan 27, 2022

Amazing blog! One of the best blogs I've read in quite a while. The photos only make this blog more amazing. The voiceover thing is great too! Is that a Bostonian accent I hear?

Anyway, this was greatly explained and I have to admit the Chinese calendar is much more interesting than the Hindu calendars. I once went to a Chinatown in Calcutta during the Spring Festival and it was pretty cool there. The food was delicious. Chinese food is liked by most Indians! 😋

And a Happy New Year to you!

Level 55

Jan 27, 2022

Thanks! I don’t know much about the Hindu calendar yet, but if/when I get more info, I’ll probably write about it

Level 65

Jan 27, 2022

哈!很高興看到會講中文的JetPunker!

希望你可以不用翻譯器就看懂我的評論!

這篇太棒了!謝謝!

Level 55

Jan 27, 2022

Thanks!

(Yes I needed a translator)

Level 75

Jan 27, 2022

瓦特

Level 55

Jan 27, 2022

I know how to speak Chinese but not really writing or reading

Level 66

Jan 31, 2022

I suck pretty badly at reading, and I'm afraid to try to write.

Level 78

Jan 27, 2022

Brilliant, I'm a tiger however not all of the traits reflect myself. For one I'm very passive rather than aggresive and if I'm honest not that tough or stubborn. Although determined and talkative describe me perfectly.

Level 65

Jan 28, 2022

Incredible. The Indian calendar has a cycle of 60 years, and they are pretty interesting, but people don’t care as much these days. I’ve never seen a Chinese New Year celebration but I’ve found it an interesting holiday. And once again great idea with the voice, I have to try that out!

Level 55

Jan 28, 2022

Thanks! Like I said to someone else, I might write an article on calendars if I find the time in the next two months.

Level 63

Jan 30, 2022

Nice! The voiceover is great as well :)

Level 55

Jan 30, 2022

Thanks!

Level 68

Feb 3, 2022

Im a tiger