Leap years in the Chinese calendar
The traditional Chinese calendar resembles the Hebrew calendar in having ordinary years with 12 months and 353, 354, or 355 days, and leap years with 13 months and 383, 384, or 385 days.
Leap years have 13 months. To determine if a year is a leap year, the number of new Moons between the 11th month in one year and the 11th month in the following year are calculated. If there are 13 new Moons from the start of the 11th month in the first year to the start of the 11th month in the second year, a leap month must be inserted.
Days are measured from midnight to midnight. The first day of the month is the date of the new Moon.
The tropical year is divided into 24 solar terms, each of which spans 15º of solar longitude. These terms are given names that refer to the seasons or weather.
How is Lunar New Year celebrated?
Celebrations vary across different cultures and countries, but typically on the first day of Lunar New Year families mayvisit the senior members of their extended family.
Lion dance troupes, a dramatic part of the Lunar New Year festivities, help to usher in the New Year and expel evil spirits.
Fireworks and firecrackers are very popular at this time, as is gift giving. In Hong Kong for example, married family members give red packets containing cash to children and teenagers in the family.
