Chinese New Year – Solar or Lunar?

The Solar Chinese New Year is based on the agricultural or farmer’s (Hsia) calendar and marks the hours, days and minutes it takes earth to complete an entire circle around the sun. This is traditionally known as the first day of spring (li chun) when insects and animals stir, soil softens and the planting season begins. This timing is based on the forces of nature and we use this date for calculating a person’s Chinese Four Pillars/BaZi birth chart, Flying Stars of Feng Shui and Qi Men Dun Jia predictions. The date typically falls on February 3rd or 4th each year and marks the time when all Feng Shui adjustments should be in place to properly benefit from the transitional energy of the new year.

The Lunar New Year marks the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice and begins the traditional celebration of the elaborate 15-day Spring Festival. This culturally rich holiday season is associated with different activities each day, culminating with the well-known Full Moon Lantern Festival (Yuen Xiao.) It is a joyous period of time when Chinese families cease work and travel home to honor their ancestors and celebrate the new year festivities with family.