The Chinese lunar calendar is said to be the longest chronological record in history, dating from 2600 BC. Emperor Huang Ti is believed to have introduced the first cycle of the zodiac. The most important aspect of the calendar, the celebration of the New Year festival, is based on the cyclical dating that is based on the track record of the new moon.

Hence, as the track of the moon varies from year to year, the beginning of the year falls anywhere between late January and the middle of February of the Gregorian calendar. The Chinese New Year for the Gregorian year of 2001 falls on January 24. A complete cycle, according to the Chinese calendar, takes 60 years and is made up of five cycles of 12 years each.

This calendar is also referred to as the Xia calendar after the Xia dynasty that ruled the country from the 21st to 16th centuries BC. However, during the reign of the Gin dynasty (221-206 BC), the calendar had again been parted into twenty-four periods of fifteen days each. In this, the starting of the month or of one of the parts is determined by the sun's position in one of the twelve signs of the zodiac.

The end of the 15-day celebration is marked by the ‘Lantern Festival'. Lighting of colourful lanterns in the houses and eating of traditional rice preparation are the main rituals of this day. The day is also marked by traditional folk songs, dance and lantern shows. No matter what the festivities or rituals are followed, the core message that the Chinese New Year festival carries is that of peace, prosperity, happiness and brotherhood.

Chinese new year dates as per western calendar