Lunar New Year

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lunar New Year refers to the beginning of the year in several calendars. It is commonly assumed that they are all based on a lunar calendar. However, this is not the case.

Several sinospheric cultures' new year is based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar:


Other cultures use entirely different methods to determine their new year:

  • Islamic New Year — This may be the only major new year celebration that is based on a purely lunar calendar.
  • Japanese New Year — The Japanese used to have a lunisolar calendar based on the Chinese calendar. This changed on January 1, 1873, when the Gregorian Calendar was adopted for all aspects of life.
  • Rosh Hashanah — In the Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on the 29th day of the month of Elul.
  • Thai New Year (Songkran) — Although the traditional Thai calendar is also lunisolar, Songkran is determined on a purely solar basis.
  • Ugadi — This is the new year's day for the Deccan people of India, who also use a lunisolar calendar.
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