Mu Shen Nian Kuai Lo!
Happy Year of the Wooden Snake!
Tomorrow January 29th will start the new year!
Today, we talk about a fascinating concept: the lunar year! But what does it actually mean?
The lunar year is a period of time based on the cycles of the Moon. While the solar year, which we follow in our calendar today, lasts about 365 days (the time it takes for the Earth to orbit around the Sun), the lunar year is based on the lunar phases, which are the visible changes of the Moon in the sky.
The Moon goes through different phases: new, waxing, full, and waning, repeating cyclically every approximately 29.5 days. These cycles determine the length of the lunar months. Usually, a lunar year consists of 12 months, making it about 354 days long.
Due to the difference of 11 days between the solar year and the lunar year, lunar calendars tend to "shift" relative to the seasons. To maintain the accuracy of seasonal events, some lunar calendars, like the Chinese lunisolar calendar, add extra months (intercalary months) every few years.
There are several lunar calendars around the world. A well-known example is the Islamic calendar, which is purely lunar and consists of 12 months, while the Chinese calendar is lunisolar and combines both systems.
The lunar year holds cultural and religious significance in many traditions. For instance, many festivals, such as Ramadan for the Islamic community or Chinese New Year, follow the lunar calendar.
Studying the lunar year is not just about learning how time passes but also discovering connections to nature and culture. It’s a way to better understand the traditions of people and their relationship with the universe.
Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Best wishes to everyone!
PB
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