As an Acupuncturist many people ask me, “Why is the Chinese new year not set to a specific date in our Gregorian calendar?”
The simple answer is that it is set to a different and much older calendar. In the modern world we follow the Solar calendar with 12 months throughout the year, devised during recent history the Gregorian Calendar was developed by Pope Gregory XIII (13th) in 1582.
This older system of time measurement called the “LuniSolar Calendar” or “Agricultural Calendar” uses what are traditionally called the Seven Luminaries, The Suns position in the Earths sky, The Moon Phases, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. These celestial bodies were all visible to the naked eye when the system was in its infancy, during the Zhou Dynasty around 3000 years ago, when the planets began to be part of the time keeping tool box. This calendar has been developed, used and adapted for millennia by many cultures and culminating in this traditional and ceremonial method of time keeping.
In the Lunisolar calendar the year begins on the second new moon after the Winter Solstice. It is known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year.
Another Question that is often asked is, “Why are there 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac?”
This is down to the legend of the Yellow Emperors Birthday celebrations, where all the animals were invited to a party where they were to race across a river, and the order of the animals finishing the race is the order of the years. To read this legend please have a look at http://www.whatisthepoint.net and look for Chinese New Year.
The System is not only a 12 year animal cycle but with the influence of the 5 elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water) and so the cycle extends to a 60 year cycle. When looking even deeper into the I Ching and its use, one can actually calculate a 10,000 year calendar cycle. Though this was only ever taught to a small and select group in ancient times, and very few people use this level of detail now.
What is this years Animal and Element? On the 29th January 2025 we see the beginning of the Year of the “Yin Wood – Snake year”, So what does that mean?
In nature the Snake is a patient animal, sitting waiting, ever alert, and when it is time to act, it can move swiftly and decisively. Never underestimate the year of the Snake or those born under its influence, they have great depth and strength waiting under the surface. Snakes natural element is Yin Fire which is symbolised as a candlelight, a campfire, or a lamp. Imagine a small gentle fire that lights the way in the darkness and gives warmth for those around it.
The element of Yin Wood represents a soft, flexible, and nurturing energy, often compared to a young tree or a vine. It’s a wood element that is more subtle than the Yang Wood, which is more like a large solid tree. Yin Wood is associated with growth, flexibility, adaptability, and creativity. It brings about a nurturing expansive quality, and it can bring new ideas to fruition.
This coming year there is great potential patiently sitting under the surface waiting for you to take action, there will be room for growth, flexibility and creative change if you allow new ideas to come into your life.
Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy Chinese New Year from your Friend and Acupuncturist Dan Lloyd – at Iwood Health, Iwood Manor.
http://www.iwoodhealth.uk
07815814886
Iwood Health, Wrington 