The Most Celebrated Festival in China
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of joy and celebration for people all over the world. In 2020, the Chinese New Year falls on Saturday, January 25th, marking the beginning of the Year of the Rat. This annual event is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and traditions, bringing families together to usher in good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
Image: 2020 Zodiac Rat Year
The White Rat: Symbol of Luck and Fortune
According to the Chinese calendar, each year is associated with an animal sign and an element. The animal sign for 2020 is the White Rat, symbolizing intelligence, wealth, and abundance. Chinese astrology combines solar, lunar, and 60 Stem-Branch counting systems to determine the animal signs for each year. The color associated with the White Rat is White, which represents the element of Metal. Therefore, 2020 is also known as the White Metal Rat Year.
The Start of Spring: A New Beginning
Contrary to popular belief, the first day of the White Rat year is not the Chinese New Year Day in Chinese Astrology. The first day of the Tiger month, known as the "Start of Spring," marks the beginning of the Chinese Astrology year. This date is determined by the sun's entry into the 315th degree on the tropical zodiac, which usually falls around February 4th. Therefore, the Chinese Lunar New Year is not the first day of the White Rat Year. If a baby is born before February 4th, 2020, their zodiac sign would be the Pig, not the Rat.
Chinese New Year Festivities and Dates
The Chinese New Year celebration lasts for 15 days and is filled with various customs and traditions. Families come together to exchange gifts, share delicious meals, and light firecrackers to ward off evil spirits. Below are the upcoming Chinese New Year dates in the China Time Zone:
| Year | Zodiac Animal Sign | New Year Date | First Zodiac Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | White Metal Rat | Jan. 25, 2020 | Feb. 4, 2020 |
| 2021 | White Metal Cow | Feb. 12, 2021 | Feb. 3, 2021 |
| 2022 | Black Water Tiger | Feb. 1, 2022 | Feb. 4, 2022 |
Please note that these dates are based on the new moon time and may vary depending on your time zone.
How Old is China?
China has a rich and ancient history, with the Chinese civilization dating back thousands of years. According to Chinese beliefs, the first king of China was the Yellow King, who ascended to the throne in 2697 B.C. As of January 25, 2020, China will enter its 4717th year. This calculation is based on the cycle of the 60 Stem-Branch counting system, with the Male Metal Rat representing the 37th Stem-Branch in the cycle.
It's worth mentioning that some sources state that 2020 is the 4718th Chinese year. This discrepancy arises because the Yellow King's calendar used the winter solstice as the first day of the year, which fell around December 23rd, 2698 B.C. If we count those extra eight days as a year, then 2020 would be the 4718th Chinese year. Regardless of the exact number, it is clear that Chinese civilization is more than 8000 years old, as evidenced by the impressive relics found at Dadiwan.
As we welcome the Year of the Rat in 2020, let us embrace the spirit of renewal and optimism that the Chinese New Year brings. May this year be filled with abundance, happiness, and good fortune for all.
Image: 2020 Zodiac Rat Year
