Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, began on 7th February 2008. It is the main Chinese festival of the year and it is not a religious event. We explain some of the traditions and stories linked to this celebration.

As the Chinese use the Lunar calendar for their festivals the date of Chinese New Year changes from year to year. The date corresponds to the new moon (black moon) in either late January or February. Traditionally celebrations last for fifteen days, ending on the date of the full moon. In China the public holiday lasts for three days and this is the biggest celebration of the year.

The Chinese Zodiac

Picture of a Rat

The Chinese calendar is different from that used in the United Kingdom. It is made up of a cycle of twelve years, each of them being named after an animal. This is very like our signs of the zodiac. Some people believe that people born in a particular year such as the year of the Dog will have some of the characteristics of that animal. February 7th 2008 marked the start of the Year of the Rat. On the Chinese calendar the new year will be 4706.

To find out which animals make up the Chinese zodiac and which one you are supposed to be like, click here and put in your birthday.

There are several legends about how animal names were chosen for the years. Read one of the stories here.

Over a sixth of the people in the world celebrate Chinese New Year. Customs vary in different parts of the world, but everywhere the main idea is the same. It is a time to remember the family and wish everyone peace and prosperity in the coming year. Find out more about the customs.