Lunar New Year

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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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