New Year on the Chinese calendar is the most important economic and social event of the year for all ethnic Chinese and the people of the other countries of Southeast Asia.It usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, in the period from 21 January to 21 February.It starts in the middle of the twelfth month, when the sun enters the constellation of Aquarius and ends in the middle of the first month with a full moon.In rare cases (additional thirteenth month in the previous year) the date of beginning of the year moves to the third new moon after the winter solstice.
ancient Chinese calendar (lunar-solar version), which is based on the Chinese New Year, was used as a guide to maintain dynastic power, used in religious and social life.Oracle bones to astronomical calculations indicate that it existed at least as early as the fourteenth century BC, during the time of Shan State (Yin).It is a complex system in which the dates are calculated according to the lunar phases, solstices, equinoxes.Months are set according to the lunar cycle, years - according to the solar year.To match the seasonal months, there is an additional month.The concept of yin and yang is an important principle, forming a harmonious world, it is combined with the zodiacal system.Each new year on the Chinese calendar is marked peculiarities of one of the twelve zodiac animals.
important aspect of a sixty-year "Jovian" series, based on a combination of the ten "heavenly stems" (decimal-cycle) and twelve "earthly branches" (duodecimal cycle).Designated 60-Tew terms on oracle bones of the Shang Dynasty, it was used for recording days.From the third century BC, it began to be used for recording years, becoming an important part of calendar systems, not only in China but also in other Asian countries - particularly in Japan, Korea and Vietnam.The combination of "heavenly stems" and "earthly branches" form titles for each year on the eastern calendar.Although the traditional method of numbering days and years have not significant in the modern view of the time, he plays a very important role for astrology and divination.
With the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1912, China joined the celebration of the New Year the first of January, and the traditional New Year was called the Spring Festival.The main celebrations take place on the eve of the holiday, when families gather together for a hearty meal;on the first day of the new year, when people visit local temples to pray for prosperity and good luck, relatives and friends go to visit each other with congratulations and gifts;on the fifteenth day (last) when the Lantern Festival is held.
New Year on the Chinese calendar is undoubtedly the grandest celebration and the largest of the three "golden weeks" (another national day Golden Week begins before and after the first of October, and the third covers the first of May 2007 is canceled)."Golden Week" means that the people have the three days of paid holidays and weekends rebuild in a way that all employees in Chinese companies have a rest for seven consecutive days.
Gala Dinner New Year's Eve, which is called "reunion dinner", must include the chicken (or duck) and fish.The menu is based on wordplay.For example, the words of fish and abundance in Chinese sounds like "yu" (only written by different characters), the phrase "nanny nanny yu yu" (from one year to eat fish) is a homophone phrase "meynyan Julia Ruen" (a profit every year).Just picked up and other products.The belief is that, as product names conformable favorable words, the presence of one lead to another.More important to maintain the integrity of the cooking process, so the duck, chicken, fish cooked whole.
New Year on the Eastern calendar - it's colorful, symbolic, very happy to go.At midnight in churches start ringing the bells.After twelve hours of launching fireworks that symbolically ward off evil spirits.It is believed that the one who was the first to launch fireworks, will have good luck throughout the year.
Dragons papier-mâché covered with red and gold silk, sometimes a hundred meters in length - an indispensable attribute of the holiday.One dragon can carry up to thirty people, and their appearance is accompanied by knocks of drums, cymbals and gongs.Red - the color of happiness and symbolic dominant during the holiday.
Many customs and traditions of the Spring Festival has a long history.A deep and detailed analysis shows that cultural practices associated with this holiday, have social functions, even if now they are not obvious.Thus, the new year on the Chinese calendar is a form of transmission of cultural heritage from generation to generation, illuminating the values and aspirations of the Chinese people.
