The Chinese New Year dates back to 2600 B.C., when the cycle of the zodiac was introduced by Emperor Huang Ti, centuries before our calendar was even in consideration.  Similar to the western calendar, it is based on the cycles of the moon. Because of this, the beginning of the year can fall any time between the months of January and February, either late January or middle of February.  The exact date of the Chinese New Year that it falls on is calculated by the date of the second new moon  after the winter solstice.

The Chinese New Year rotates around a twelve-year cycle, each year represented by a different animal.  (more…)