CHINESENEWYEAR

　　ChineseNewYearstartswiththeNewMoononthefirstdayofthenewyearandendsonthefullmoon15dayslater.The15thdayofthenewyeariscalledtheLanternFestival,whichiscelebratedatnightwithlanterndisplaysandchildrencarryinglanternsinaparade.

　　TheChinesecalendarisbasedonacombinationoflunarandsolarmovements.Thelunarcycleisabout29.5days.Inorderto"catchup"withthesolarcalendartheChineseinsertanextramonthonceeveryfewyears(sevenyearsoutofa19-yearcycle).Thisisthesameasaddinganextradayonleapyear.Thisiswhy,accordingtothesolarcalendar,theChineseNewYearfallsonadifferentdateeachyear.

　　NewYear'sEveandNewYear'sDayarecelebratedasafamilyaffair,atimeofreunionandthanksgiving.ThecelebrationwastraditionallyhighlightedwithareligiousceremonygiveninhonorofHeavenandEarth,thegodsofthehouseholdandthefamilyancestors.

　　Thesacrificetotheancestors,themostvitalofalltherituals,unitedthelivingmemberswiththosewhohadpassedaway.Departedrelativesarerememberedwithgreatrespectbecausetheywereresponsibleforlayingthefoundationsforthefortuneandgloryofthefamily.

　　ThepresenceoftheancestorsisacknowledgedonNewYear'sEvewithadinnerarrangedforthematthefamilybanquettable.Thespiritsoftheancestors,togetherwiththeliving,celebratetheonsetoftheNewYearasonegreatcommunity.Thecommunalfeastcalled"surroundingthestove"orweilu.Itsymbolizesfamilyunityandhonorsthepastandpresentgenerations