Chinese New Year

Re: Chinese New Year

by Haorann Li -
Number of replies: 1

Why should we say"Chinese New Year" and not "Lunar New Year"? Actually, all the Lunar New Year celebration happening right now should be called Chinese New Year celebration. The lunar calendar in fact is actually used by Muslims and the New Year for that calendar on 2025 is June 27th. So if you're celebrating on January 29th this year 2025, you should call it Chinese New Year, because it will be just inaccurate call it Lunar New Year. So Chinese New Year follows the unique Chinese Lunisolar Calendar. It's calculated by Purple Mountain Observatory in Nanjing, China, the history of the calendar can be dated back to about 4380 Year ago in Xia Dynasty, when Emperor Huang defeated Chio.

And just know that Chinese New Year is very inclusive, you're very welcome in one, the inclusivity notion and the name Chinese New Year, don't conflict at all, It's just a matter of being accurate. :)

In reply to Haorann Li

Re: Chinese New Year

by Phuong Nghi Nguyen -

Hi, I do not mean to cause any conflict or argument, but I would like to share my perspective.

Many countries besides China celebrate Lunar New Year ("Tết" in Vietnam, "Seollal" in Korea, "Losar" in Tibet,...)...

To me, calling "Chinese New Year” ignores the fact that these nations have their own traditions, foods, and customs,...

While the Chinese lunisolar calendar is the base, each country has adapted it differently for centuries.

The Islamic calendar is purely lunar, but the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, meaning it follow both the moon and the sun.

Just because Muslims have a lunar calendar, it does not mean “Lunar New Year” must refer to their new year.

When people say “Lunar New Year" they mean the celebrations happening in East and Southeast Asia, not the Islamic New Year.

Bassed on what I have learned and know about Chinese New Year, the modern Chinese lunisolar calendar was developed much later, during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE).

I agree that the Purple Mountain Observatory in China calculates the calendar, but that does not mean it belongs only to China. Other countries have developed their own versions.

Using "Lunar New Year" is more inclusive and respects the traditions of Vietnam, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet, and other countries that celebrate it differently. Calling it "Chinese New Year" erases their cultural identity.