Long History of Chinese New Year
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On February 7, 2008 we will celebrate the 2559th Chinese New Year. From the meaning of this 2559 number, not many people who know it. At the time of celebrating Chinese New Year, most of Chinese people whose in the age of balita (under fifty years old) only know: 恭喜發財 Kiong Hi Hoat Chai, receiving angpao/gift of money in a red envelope (for unmarried person), eating年糕 Nian Gao (basket cake), attraction of barongsai (lion dance), etc. But, do we know that Chinese New Year has a very long history, not less than 4,700 years???
We know various calendar systems. Christian Calendar (Kalender Masehi) of the year 2008, uses solar system, which is calculated based on the duration of earth peredaran bumi circle the Sun during 365.25 days. Its first year referred to the year of Jesus Christ birth. Islamic Calendar on the year 1428 H, uses a lunar system, referring to period of moon orbit circle the Earth during 354 days, or any difference of 11 days compared to solar system. Its first year is calculated since the Prophet Muhammad SAW evacuated from Mecca to Medina.
陰曆 Chine Calendar is the combination of both solar & lunar systems. Calculation its day per month refers to a lunar system. But the difference of 11 days per year is adjusted to solar system through mechanism of insertion of the 13th month of 7 (seven) times within period of 19 years. This correction or insertion makes the beginning of Chinese New Year always falls on the time span between January 21 and February 19, unchanged and goes forward like Idul Fitri Feast of Hegira New year (the year 2000 Moslems celebrated Idul Fitri Feast two times (2X), namely on January 8, 2000 & December 27, 2000).
Through month insertion mechanism or what we call Lun, then in certain years sometimes have double months. For example Lun Ji Gwe (the second month), Lun Cit Gwe (the seventh month), etc.
Chinese Calendar has been existed since皇帝 Huang Di Emperor era [2,696 – 2598 BC]. But it was officially used by Xia Dynasty [2,205 – 1.766 BC], namely 4,213 years ago! On February 7, 2008, we celebrate 2559Th Chinese New Year. Then from where this 2,559 number? It is calculated from the birth of Prophet孔子 Kong Zi {Hok Kian = Khong Cu} or Confucius who was born in the year 551 BC. 2559 number is the totaling of 551 and 2008. But it doesn’t mean the age of Chinese calendar equal to the age of Kong Zi. In reality, Chinese Calendar has been used long before, precisely since Huang Di Emperor era, namely in 2,696 BC. Therefore, Chinese Calendar has been in the age of 4,704 years!!!
Of course there is a question arising, why does the first year of Chinese Calendar is counted since the birth of Prophet Kong Zi? Its history is too long. Chinese Calendar was officially used by 夏 Xia Dynasty [2,205 – 1,766 BC. Xia Dynasty only had the power until 1,766 BC and then superseded by 商 Shang Dynasty [1,766 – 1,122 BC].
During Shang Dynasty era, Chinese Calendar that we know presently, was modified by being moved forward the determination of the beginning of its new year about one month. As a result, the beginning of New Year that initially fell on the beginning of spring, shifted to winter. Similarly the calculation of the beginning of the year, was counted since Shang Dynasty has the power.
When Shang Dynasty and Zhou Dynasty [1,122 – 255 BC],calculation of the beginning of its new year was moved forwarded again, coincided with冬至Dong Zi, peak of winter about December 22, precisely when the Sun is at 23.5o South Latitude. Calculation of the beginning of the year was started since the establishment of Zhou Dynasty.
Prophet Kong Zi, Confusius [551 – 479 BC] lived during Zhou Dynasty era. Kong Zi had ever reminded that a calendar system should be made by considering the interest of the public. A good calendar must be Guidance for people who use it. Meanwhile Zhou Dynasty calendar used during Kong Zi lived was considered very inappropriate to be used as guidance for people that in majority lived from agriculture sector, since the determination of the beginning its new year was coincided with the winter. When a new year fall in the winter, it is difficult to be made guidance for the people to start a new work. On grounds this thought, Kong Zi suggested to Zhou Emperor in order to reuse Xia Dynasty calendar, in which the beginning of New Year was coincided with the beginning of spring, so that it can be made guidance for people that are majority the farmers to start new works. But this Kong Zi’s suggestion was not responded by Zhou then.
When Zhou Dynasty was succeeded by 秦 Qin Dynasty [255 – 202 BC], Kong Zi’s advice remained being ignored. At that time, the Emperor kept following the previous tradition, tried to strength power legitimation with various manners, including making new calendar. Whether such calendar is appropriate or not with the necessity of his people, was not much considered.
Thus, when Shang Dynasty superseded by Zhou Dynasty, and then succeeded by Qin Dynasty [225 – 202 BC], calendar system being used also continuously changed, pursuant to ruler’s wish.
Qin Dynasty didn’t last longer, succeeded by 漢 Han Dynasty [202 BC – 206 AD] which was established by Lu Bang. This first Emperor didn’t have time to think about the change of calendar. And when漢武帝 Han Wu Di has the authority; he followed instruction of Kong Zi and announced the imposition Xia Calendar again. As a high respect to the Prophet Kong Zi, the determination of calculation of the beginning of Xia Calendar year that currently we know as Chinese calendar was counted since the birth year of Kong Zi, 551 BC.
This Han Wu Di policy was unending; it was proved the succeeding emperors, both from Han Dynasty and the following dynasties kept using Xia Calendar. Thus, even though emperor continuously changed, dynasty continuously changed; there is no longer change of calendar. All use calendars inherited from Xia Dynasty, with the beginning of the year referring to the year of Kong Zi’s birth. Moreover, in Han Dynasty era, Confucianism was then determined as a State religion, even it lasted until Qing Dynasty. Kong Zi teachings also become the main guidance for those who want to achieve title in college/ university.
Chinese calendar is appropriate to be used as guidance for people that majority live from agricultural sector, so that it often called農曆 Nong Li (Farmer’s Calendar). Many people also called Kong Zi {Khong Cu Lek} calendar, so that its New Year is called Khong Zi New Year. This call is usually used in the circle of Confucianism followers in Indonesia, and in several countries that their society adhere Confucianism.
