The beginning of the year in ancient times refers to the "beginning of spring" among the twenty-four solar terms. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Spring Festival generally referred to the entire spring. Before the Spring Festival, it was also called "New Year's Day", which was on the first day of the first lunar month. However, the set date of the first month of the Chinese dynasties is not consistent:
The Xia Dynasty (following the lunar calendar) used Meng Chun (i.e. the first month) as the first month.
The Shang Dynasty used the twelfth lunar month (twelfth lunar month) as the first lunar month.
After Qin Shihuang unified the six kingdoms, he stipulated that October would be the first month, and the Qin calendar was followed in the early Han Dynasty.
In the first year of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, that is, 104 BC, astronomers Luo Xiahong and Deng Ping formulated the "Taichu Calendar", which restored the original October as the beginning of the year to Meng Chun as the beginning of the year. On this basis, later generations gradually improved it into the lunar calendar (ie lunar calendar) used today. Since then, China has continued to use the Xia calendar (lunar calendar, also known as the lunar calendar) until the end of the Qing Dynasty, which lasted for 2080 years.
After the Revolution of 1911, the Gregorian calendar was gradually used. Later, in order to distinguish the two new years of the lunar calendar and the solar calendar, and because the "beginning of spring" in the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar happened to be before and after the lunar new year, January 1 of the lunar calendar was renamed the "Spring Festival". Extended information
During the Spring Festival, various New Year celebration activities are held across the country. These activities are mainly about offering sacrifices to gods, worshiping ancestors, eradicating the old and bringing in the new, welcoming the new year and blessings, and praying for a good harvest. The forms are rich and colorful, with strong characteristics of various ethnic groups. Influenced by Chinese culture, some countries and ethnic groups belonging to the Chinese character cultural circle also have the custom of celebrating the Spring Festival.
People try their best to go home to reunite with their relatives during the Spring Festival. During the festival, they visit relatives and friends to express their feelings for relatives and friends and their best wishes for the new year.
Reference: Baidu Encyclopedia-Spring Festival