The year is ended, and it only adds to my age;
Spring has come, but I must take leave of my home.
Alas, that the trees in this eastern garden,
Without me, will still bear flowers.

Su Ting (670-727)

February 19th, 2007 started the Chinese new year DingHai of 4704 represented by the year of the Pig (boar).
The calendar measures time from small quantities of time such as minutes and hours, to large measurements of time of months to centuries. The calendar is calculated by astronomical observations of movements of the Sun, Moon, and the stars.

The Chinese New Year is named by three criteria, the first is by an animal; for example this is the year of the Pig (boar). There are twelve animals that are re-used every 12 years, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. The second way to name a year is by its formal name, which is re-used every 60 years, this year is DingHai. The last way is by the year, this is the year 4704.

The Chinese New Year ’s Day is determined by the second new moon after the winter solstice. The mathematical nature of the Chinese calendar allows it to predict the New Year years in advance. Celebrations on new year’s day are called the Spring Festivals, like the Persian new year, the new year represents the beginning of spring. Another interesting fact of the Chinese calendar is that unlike the western, Gregorian, calendar that has an extra day in the leap year, the Chinese leap year has an extra month. Each year to decorate for the New Years, spring time paintings are posted around the home.




source: Chinapage

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