When is it according to the Chinese calendar? New Year according to the eastern calendar: celebration traditions

The lunar-solar calendar is used in China to determine the dates of traditional holidays and the beginning of certain types of agricultural work.

Below are the dates of Chinese New Year in the next five years:

In 2014 - from January 31 to January 14;
- In 2015 - from February 19 to;
- In 2016 - from February 8 to;
- In 2017 - from January 28 to February 11;
- In 2018 - from March 2.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

This is the largest festival in the Chinese calendar, comparable in scale to Christmas and New Year's Eve in the Western world. The day before, people are busy preparing for the celebration, making wish lists, buying gifts and decoration materials. Traditional holiday treats are prepared, because even in the poorest Chinese family it is customary to richly set the table for a family dinner. Thousands of years of Chinese New Year celebrations are inspired by the legends of the people of the Middle Kingdom.

One legend about the origin of the Chinese New Year says that a dragon named Nian (or Nian) got into the habit of visiting people in the village. He broke into houses, ate the crops collected by the villagers, not disdaining the villagers themselves and their children if they did not have time to hide in the mountains. In order not to give the dragon a reason to rush inside the house, the villagers put the treats outside. One fine day, people noticed how Nian was afraid of a baby dressed in red clothes. Realizing that it was a matter of color, every year the whole village began to decorate houses and streets with red cloth and lanterns, and wear red clothes. It was believed that the roar of pyrotechnics was frightening evil spirits, so at the holiday the Chinese began to set fire to long bundles of firecrackers.

Another legend tells of an old beggar with a silver mustache who volunteered to help the unfortunate villagers. The residents did not pay attention to the strange newcomer, collected their belongings and the whole village went to hide in the forest on the mountain. Having waited for the dragon at night, the old man came out to meet him in red clothes, rattled firecrackers and drove Nanny away.

One of the legends says that once upon a time, Buddha invited all the animals of the earth to celebrate the New Year with him. Only twelve responded to the invitation, and Buddha named them after them for the following years.

In the evening, the whole family gathers at the festive table, in the morning tables with offerings to the monster are placed outside the doors of the houses, and in the afternoon a team of actors with a huge figure of a dragon begins to walk through the streets. Puppet Nanny looks into each open door streets where they put money in his mouth. After he leaves, the owner of the house sets fire to previously hung ribbons with firecrackers, scaring off invisible evil spirits and onlookers with the roar. So, when you find yourself witnessing the holiday, do not forget to buy earplugs at the pharmacy.

In China they joke that a resident can forget his birthday, but New Year(Chunjie) he will never miss. It would seem that the Chinese should meet him before the inhabitants of the European part of the continent, but this is not so. New Year in China does not begin on January 1st. For example, Chinese New Year 2019 will be celebrated on February 5th.

This is the most solemn holiday in the calendar of the peoples of Southeast Asia and the Far East. It is also celebrated in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan and Mauritius. On these same days (but under different names) the people of Vietnam celebrate holidays. South Korea, Cambodia, Mongolia, as well as some regions of Russia (Tuva, Transbaikalia, Buryatia).

There is a chronology system in any country, since historically each nation counted years, seasons, and days in different ways. This is due to the need to determine the exact start and end times of agricultural work stages.

Since ancient times, China's chronology has been based on the lunar calendar. It was formed around the 14th century. BC, thanks to the development of astronomy. There is no linear chronology in it - it is believed that history repeats itself cyclically every 60 years. And sometimes it is difficult for Europeans to compare with the usual calendar when this or that event begins and ends in accordance with Chinese traditions.

Each 60-year cycle includes:

• 10-year cycle of “heavenly branches”, consisting of 5 elements (fire, water, earth, wood, metal);
• The 12-year cycle of the “earthly branches”, bearing the names of the 12 animals.

IN Chinese year There are 12 lunar months of equal length, and in a leap year a 13th is added to them. Therefore, when determining what date each year begins, these features are taken into account.

How many New Year's holidays are there in China?

The inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom are very hardworking people; it is almost impossible to find lazy people among them. Working 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, they have very little vacation.

And when the Chinese have a holiday, they celebrate it beautifully, joyfully and noisily. At the same time, they do not limit themselves either in emotions or in means. The New Year celebration with red lanterns, fireworks, performances and general fun usually lasts at least 2 days, often covering the pre-holiday day.

In everyday life in the country, the traditional cyclical calendar is still used, although since 1949 the Gregorian calendar, according to which Europe lives, has been actively used in China. Here, even printed publications are published with a double date - according to the cyclic and Gregorian calendars.

Therefore, the weekend in China to celebrate the New Year falls:

• according to the Gregorian calendar - on January 1;
• according to the Chinese (lunar) calendar - on the corresponding day, which does not have a clearly defined date.

In the special administrative regions of the PRC Hong Kong and Macau (former colonies of Great Britain and Portugal), such a tradition of “double” official celebration has existed for a long time.

Chinese New Year

Since ancient times, the beginning of the year in China occurred at the end of winter, which coincides with the 2nd new moon following the date of the winter solstice. Therefore the date New Year's holiday constantly moves between January 21 and February 21:

• 2016 Fire Monkey 09.02
• 2019 Fire Boar 28.01
• 2018 Earth Dog 16.02
• 2019 Earth Pig (boar) 05.02
• 2020 Metal Mouse (rat) 25.01

In 2019, the exact start time of the New Year celebration, according to Chinese traditions, is midnight from February 5 to February 19. The dog will give protection over the world to the Yellow Pig.

He personifies constant upward movement, is distinguished by a persistent desire for success and self-improvement, and has unsurpassed optimism and vital energy. Therefore, in 2019, you need to boldly cast aside uncertainty and doubts, not be afraid of change and confidently move towards something new.

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How is the eastern calendar kept?

The lunar calendar is considered the oldest. Some historians believe that it was first created by the ancient Sumerians, whose civilization existed in the area between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in the 4th-3rd millennia BC.

Its use by various ancient peoples is evidenced by numerous artifacts. Thus, a number of researchers believe that the ancient Yakuts and aborigines of Nicobar Island, located in the Malaysian region, also in ancient times used the phases of the moon to calculate the annual cycle. The Chinese began to use the tradition of calculating the year according to the lunar calendar around the second millennium BC.

Then it finally developed into a special system of the Chinese lunar calendar during the Han era, which lasted from the 2nd century BC. to 2nd century AD It is from this that the eastern horoscope is calculated and chronology is carried out according to a 12-year cycle, in which each time the exact time of the New Year has to be calculated.

The spread of the lunar calendar among ancient peoples is explained by the ease of making astronomical observations of the phases of the moon, according to which the ancients conducted their economic annual cycle. In the process of observing the growth and decline of this celestial body ancient people noticed how this affected rivers, seas and lakes, the development of plants, and the human condition.

Each ancient culture developed its own lunar calendar system. One of the most ancient cultural traditions of keeping the year by the phases of the moon is rightfully considered the Chinese system, which has come down to our time.

Start date of the New Year according to the Eastern calendar in 2019

According to the lunar phases, the beginning of this year falls on February 5, 2019, and the end on January 25, 2020. For those who follow the predictions of eastern horoscopes, knowledge of these dates is especially necessary, since all forecasts for the New Year depend on them. Knowing the beginning and end of the upcoming annual cycle of the eastern zodiac, you can take into account the recommendations of astrologers for the signs of this ancient astrological system and more effectively apply such knowledge in your personal life.

History of New Year celebrations in China

According to the lunar system of the annual cycle, the New Year begins with the second new moon following the winter solstice, when the day lasts the shortest time of the year - after December 22.
The Chinese usually celebrate this holiday with their relatives. They exchange gifts with loved ones and go to visit, commemorate their ancestors and deceased relatives, launching glowing lanterns into the sky.

If tourists come to China for the New Year, they receive a huge charge of extraordinary emotions and impressions. At this time, between winter and spring, the entire Celestial Empire is transformed, the streets are full of garlands and lanterns, the population wears figures of multi-colored dragons, releases fireworks and lit lanterns into the air in the evenings, and decorates the Tree of Light. Essentially, the Chinese celebrate the New Year in the spring, like most eastern peoples, who associate their economic cycle with the phases of the moon.

For those who also want to celebrate this holiday or visit the country at this time as a tourist, you should know exactly what date the Chinese New Year in 2019 begins and when it ends in China. During this period, you can contemplate many spectacular celebrations dedicated to his meeting. The opportunity to see all these festivities with your own eyes.

Such a trip will be an early visit to the coming spring and will help you take a break from the white snow and cold Russian winter. New Year's China is an incredibly colorful and smiling country, whose residents joyfully welcome the coming spring. It is not surprising that their New Year is called Chun Jie, which translated into Russian means spring festival.

Symbol of 2019 – Yellow Earth Pig: features of the eastern sign

According to the ancient astrological tradition of the Celestial Empire, the eastern horoscope has large 12-year cycles, in which each year corresponds to a specific animal. The Pig is considered the last animal of the 12-year cycle, since according to legend, it was the last to come instead of the Cat, who slept through the appointed time for everyone. The cat, according to an ancient Chinese legend, was not awakened by the cunning Rat, which is why these animals still have an irreconcilable conflict.

There are a total of 12 sacred animals in the Chinese eastern horoscope:

Rat;
Bull;
Tiger;
Rabbit;
The Dragon;
Snake;
Horse;
Sheep;
Monkey;
Rooster;
Dog;
Pig.

Each year has its own color symbolism, which each animal has different years is changing. Colors represent natural elements and materials:

White – metal;
red – fire;
blue – water;
yellow – earth;
green – tree.

There are 5 elements and the same number of colors for 12 signs. New Year 2019 – time Yellow Pig, which ends the old eastern cycle of 12 years. This is the time when a new period begins in the life of each sign of the eastern horoscope.

Every person can hope for changes in their life, which can be strongly associated with material well-being. The pig itself symbolizes the element of Earth, and yellow only strengthens her materiality and craving for well-being.

This is one of the friendliest and cheerful animals of the Chinese zodiac. She is loved for her sociable disposition, her ability to appreciate material values, for her pragmatism and common sense. The pig, as a symbol of the elements of the Earth, stands firmly on its short legs and can bring good luck, prosperity and material wealth to a person in the New Year, if its arrival is met correctly.

The Chinese themselves advise celebrating the Year of the Yellow Pig with a large circle of family and friends. cheerful company at a rich and beautifully served table. This symbol brings great success and prosperity to everyone who works with the land, and in China this is the main part of the population living in the villages.

It is also believed that the coming year is favorable for concluding happy marriages. When the calendar year of the Yellow Pig begins, many Chinese try to agree on celebrating a wedding at that time, since, according to legends and customs, it is this symbol that patronizes happy and long marriages.

How to celebrate the Year of the Yellow Pig according to Chinese traditions

Yellow;
golden;
brown;
pinkish beige.

IN New Year's outfit Gold jewelry must be present. This will help attract the attention of the earth pig and guarantee good luck in obtaining material values.

The room should also be decorated using these shades. The traditional colors of the European New Year will combine quite harmoniously with the shades of the earthy pig.
When serving New Year's table care must be taken to ensure that it is varied. Pork cannot be served, but other types of meat must be present. festive table Necessarily.

This symbol loves to eat, so you shouldn’t skimp on buying groceries or reduce the number of New Year’s dishes. In addition to meat, you can serve dishes from vegetables, rice, legumes, fish and poultry. You can't do without a delicious dessert. A pig is an omnivore, so you need to put a variety of holiday treats on the table. It is believed that this will attract her favor and material wealth in the coming 2019.

How to attract good luck and material wealth in the year of the Yellow Earth Pig

The Chinese, who celebrate their New Year for 2 whole weeks, thoroughly prepare for its meeting. The house is thoroughly cleaned. All trash and unnecessary old things are removed from the premises. Every corner is literally washed to sterility. All the broken things and torn old clothes are thrown out.

Along with cleaning the living space, the inner worldview is put in order. All old accumulated grievances must be released by forgiving the people who caused them. This will help you become more open to new happiness and new Qi energy that permeates all living things.

It is believed that the well-being and prosperity that this energy of life carries within it quickly enters the cleaned room along with sunlight. Where there is order and cleanliness in the house, prosperity, health and happiness can linger for a long time.

The Chinese also have an analogue of the European Christmas tree, which they decorate and place in the house as a symbol of the upcoming New Year. It is called the Tree of Light. The Chinese place ordinary trees in their homes instead of fir trees and pines. They are decorated with lanterns, ribbons and colorful envelopes. You can place such an elegant tree in any corner of the house. When choosing a place, the family always considers what wish everyone wants to make for the New Year.

Installation is carried out according to the science of Feng Shui:

The southeastern sector brings wealth and prosperity;
the eastern part of the house will bring peace and tranquility;
a tree in the southern part of the living space will attract fame and success in society;
placement in the center will help improve health;
the western sector will provide an addition to the family;
a tree in the northern part of the house will help career growth;
placement in the northeast will open new horizons of wisdom and stimulate intellectual activity throughout the year;
If such a symbol of the spring holiday is placed in the northwestern part of the house, then the owners will be expected to travel to distant countries in the coming year.

Also throughout the house you need to place figurines of the symbol of the coming year in that part of the living space where the presence of Qi energy is needed. Such amulets should remain in place all year, until the next annual cycle with a new symbol begins.

Compliance with all these rituals, according to the Chinese, ensures the attraction of good luck and success in life, and allows you to correctly use the vital energy Qi. Anyone who is interested in Chinese tradition and the eastern horoscope can experience for themselves the effectiveness of these Chinese rituals when celebrating the European and Chinese New Years.

Passion for Eastern culture and Chinese traditions has become firmly established in our daily lives, affecting our habits and customs. The celebration of the New Year according to the eastern calendar is supported by an increasing number of people, while the rest simply keep track of which animal corresponds to the coming year.

The eastern calendar is based on the Chinese time system, which consists of a cyclical twelve-year repetition of the zodiac signs. Each year in this cycle corresponds to a specific zodiac patron animal. Depending on which totem animal corresponds to a certain period, it determines what trials and surprises will be encountered in the near future. The Chinese calendar also prescribes to people which undertakings will be appropriate and which ones should be postponed.

In addition, the totem animal helps to choose the most appropriate time for important events in life: weddings, birth of children, travel, buying a home, serious projects, etc.

What sign will 2019 be under?

In accordance with the Gregorian calendar generally accepted in our country, we celebrate the New Year on the night of December 31 to January 1. But in China the arrival of this holiday does not have an exact date.

The onset of the New Year here is timed to coincide with a change in the lunar calendar, namely, the second new moon, which occurred after December 21. This date always falls between January 21 and February 20. The Chinese celebrate this cycle change for 2 weeks, ending with the traditional Lantern Festival.

2019 will be the last of the twelve-year cycle during which Jupiter manages to make one full revolution around the Sun. This period will be patronized by the Pig or Boar. In addition to the animal, the Chinese determine the element and color, which will become leading in the next stage. Therefore, in the eastern interpretation, the coming 2019 will be the year of the yellow earthen pig.

It is the combination of all these characteristics that influences which undertakings will be more successful, and which ones should wait until the next change of the zodiac totem, how one should behave in order to fully realize one’s potential, and what one should be careful about.

The totem animal for 2019 is the yellow earthen Pig, it will sum up all the actions that occurred during the lunisolar cycle and indicate the direction in which to move over the next 12 years. Since the pig in Eastern culture is considered a symbol of balance, patience and hard work, these qualities are especially useful in everyday life and will bring success to people.

When is the Year of the Pig

As mentioned above, the beginning of the year in the Gregorian and Eastern calendars does not coincide, so January will entirely pass under the auspices of the totem of 2018 - the Dog. But only February 5, 2019 The Dog will be replaced by the yellow Pig, since it is on this night that Jupiter will begin its new revolution around the Sun. On the night of February 4-5, 2019, adherents of Eastern traditions plan to celebrate this holiday around the world.

The element and color, as well as the type of animal, determine the rules of celebration that should be followed so that the Pig favors a person in all his endeavors. For those who want to “appease” Pig, you should listen to the following advice:

• At the holiday you need to wear clothes of the appropriate color (yellow or any shade of brown, as well as green).
• The Pig favors financial stability, so to ensure good income over the coming year, you need to put a banknote, preferably a high denomination, under the Christmas tree.
• Dishes on the table should not be prepared from pork, but other types of meat are quite acceptable. Also a good sign is the abundance of fruits and vegetables that the pig will like.

According to the eastern calendar, 2019 closes the period of change and upheaval, and is being replaced by a cycle of stability and constancy, therefore it is believed that families created during this time will be especially strong, new jobs will become permanent and will provide good profits, and children born per year, Pigs will become hardworking, persistent and morally resistant to stress.

A brief overview prepared by authoritative experts in Chinese traditions will help you get acquainted with the customs of the holiday, as well as learn about how and when the New Year according to the Eastern calendar 2019 will be celebrated in China.

A few facts from the history of Chinese New Year

Unlike the “European calendar” familiar to Russians, China has its own “system” of chronology, according to which each New Year is patronized by a certain zodiac constellation, named after one of the 12 totem animals. According to the beliefs of our eastern neighbors, it is the disposition of this or that “patron” that determines what the next 365-day period will be like.

In addition, the Eastern calendar is a special astrological “guide” that gives people many useful recommendations. For example, with its help, you can find out how and what a person should do in different periods of the year in order to enlist the support of the heavenly bodies. Based on the Eastern calendar, Chinese residents calculate favorable times for travel, wedding dates, and even the period for conceiving children. Based on the “mood” of the totem, superstitious residents of eastern countries plan such important “steps” as:

• apparatus employed;
• purchase of housing;
• negotiations and conclusion of contracts with business partners.

Of course, such behavior may surprise many Europeans, however, among them there are many who often look at the Eastern calendar before making certain important decisions.

What date is Chinese New Year celebrated?

If in Europe and the countries of the Western Hemisphere the New Year is celebrated on the night from January 31 to January 1, then among the citizens of the Celestial Empire it is celebrated at completely different times. In the latter case, the date of the holiday directly depends on the changes Lunar calendar. In China, as well as in most countries of Southeast Asia, this holiday is celebrated when the second new moon occurs, namely, in the interval between December 21st and February 20th. In 2019, the date of Chinese New Year falls on the 5th day of the last winter month.

Year of the Pig according to the Eastern calendar

As mentioned earlier, simultaneously with the passage of a full circle of planets around the Sun, the “patron” of the year will also change. The legitimate “heir” of the Dog will be the Yellow Earth Pig. As a rule, along with the “animal totem”, such a factor as the elements changes. However, this does not happen every year. Therefore, as in the current year, the dominant element of 2019 will remain the Earth. It is also noteworthy that each of the five elements of the Eastern calendar corresponds to a specific color scheme:

1. Fire - red;
2. Water - black;
3. The air is white;
4. Earth - yellow;
5. Tree - blue.

Considering that the Pig’s “favorite” color is yellow, you should celebrate the New Year in outfits made in earthy shades. Acceptable colors are brown, mustard or neutrals - white, beige and cream. According to the Chinese, the mood of the totem will largely depend on this factor. Also, you should not disappoint Piggy with rash and thoughtless actions. Being a cautious animal, the Pig loves balance and consistency in any endeavor. By following the recommendations listed above, you can fully enlist the support of the heavenly bodies and protect yourself from failures in the professional and personal spheres of life.

The Pig has a special relationship with different signs of the Zodiac. Generally speaking, the greatest “favor” of the Yellow Earthen Pig will be given to those people who are engaged in farming, including agricultural business. In 2019, representatives of this field of activity can safely enter into agreements with new business partners. Almost any such project will be profitable and bring considerable profits to its applicants.

Holiday traditions in China

Despite the passage of centuries, the Chinese sacredly preserve and honor the customs of the New Year. Each province of this eastern country has unique traditions of this have a wonderful holiday. Concerning general trends honoring the celebration, they consist of several “canonical” rules.

When starting a festive meal, the Chinese always dress in clothes that contain elements of red. According to ancient beliefs, this shade scares away evil spirits who want to harm the owners of the house.

When invited to New Year's dinner, guests are required to bring with them two ripe tangerines, which symbolize peace, happiness, prosperity and family well-being.

No matter what time the ceremonies begin New Year's events, cleaning is prohibited on the 1st day of the New Year. Followers of Chinese traditions believe that sweeping the floor of the house or taking out the trash can drive good luck out of it.

When the first day of the New Year begins, many Chinese people hang colorful flowers on their windows. paper tapes, which protect their homes from damage and attract material well-being, health and happiness to their homes for the entire coming year.

Beautiful congratulations Happy Chinese New Year: