ChineseNewYearstartswiththeNewMoononthefirstdayofthenewyearandendsonthefullmoon15dayslater.The15thdayofthenewyeariscalledtheLanternFestival,whichiscelebratedatnightwithlanterndisplaysandchildrencarryinglanternsinaparade.

　　TheChinesecalendarisbasedonacombinationoflunarandsolarmovements.Thelunarcycleisabout29.5days.Inorderto"catchup"withthesolarcalendartheChineseinsertanextramonthonceeveryfewyears(sevenyearsoutofa19-year-cycle).Thisisthesameasaddinganextradayonleapyear.Thisiswhy,accordingtothesolarcalendar,theChineseNewYearfallsonadifferentdateeachyear.NewYear'sEveandNewYear'sDayarecelebratedasafamilyaffair,atimeofreunionandthanksgiving.

　　ThecelebrationwastraditionallyhighlightedwithareligiousceremonygiveninhonorofHeavenandEarth,thegodsofthehouseholdandthefamilyancestors.Thesacrificetotheancestors,themostvitalofalltherituals,unitedthelivingmemberswiththosewhohadpassedaway.Departedrelativesarerememberedwithgreatrespectbecausetheywereresponsibleforlayingthefoundationsforthefortuneandgloryofthefamily.

　　Fun,friends,frolicandfood,thatisallnewyearcelebrationsisallabout.Tocatchontotherightspiritofthechinesenewyear,youjustneedtoenjoyyourselfwithyourfamiliesandfriends!HappyYearoftheRabbit!