WESTCHESTER, NY - According to the Western solar calendar system, The Year of the Dog begins January 29, 2006. According to the Chinese lunar calendar system, this is a new moon day, the first day of the first Chinese lunar month, and year 4704.123ChineseNewYear.com says New Year's is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. Because of cyclical lunar dating, the first day of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. Holiday Insights explains that the 15 day celebration begins on the first day of the new moon, and ends on the full moon. The celebration on the15th day is called the Lantern Festival.
The astrological new year in China begins a short time later, at the winter solstice. According to the Chinese Fortune-Telling calendar system, the Red Fire Dog New Year begins February 3rd, Eastern Standard Time and February 4th, Pacific Time in 2006, coincident with first day of Tiger month and the Start of Spring.
- More resources: Click here to access sites that provide more details and ideas for celebrating the Chinese New Year.
- Image attributions: ChineseFortuneCalendar.com###
