The first day sets the boundary
Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the first regular lunar month. Its Gregorian date changes from year to year, so last year’s reminder cannot simply be repeated. The calendar boundary is useful for birthday records and family greetings as well as celebrations.
What the date means for zodiac lookup
This site changes the Chinese zodiac year at Chinese New Year. Someone born before that day can still belong to the preceding lunar year even though the Gregorian year has already changed. Use the complete birth date in the zodiac lookup; a Gregorian year alone is insufficient around January and February. This is not a calculation based on the exact Start of Spring time.
Visits are a conversation, not a universal rule
Families may prioritise meals, greetings, home visits or time together in other ways. Singapore’s households differ in language, religion and family background. Ask hosts when a visit is welcome and whether guests should bring anything. Do not assume a custom described in Taiwan applies unchanged to every Chinese Singaporean household.
Keep several kinds of dates apart
The first festival day, a statutory holiday period, a school break and a shop’s closure schedule answer different questions. Use the festival list for calendar dates, then confirm the relevant local announcement or business schedule separately. A reunion dinner on the previous evening also needs its own event entry.
Build a manageable visit route
Group visits by location and leave time for transport, meals and rest. Confirm the people actually available rather than forwarding a packed timetable to everyone. When visiting an unfamiliar household, ask about shoes, photography and dietary needs politely. A short, agreed visit can be more considerate than arriving unexpectedly for a long one.
Common calendar mistakes
A leap lunar month does not create a second Chinese New Year. The festival belongs to regular month one, day one. Nor does a missed gathering change the person’s lunar birthday or zodiac boundary. Use the date converter to verify calendar records and keep social arrangements as separate notes.
Official references: Hong Kong Observatory calendar tables and Taiwan Tourism Administration customs overview.