On Lunar New Year and the Chinese Zodiac

The Lunar New Year is actually a lunisolar holiday in that it is celebrated according to a combination of solar and lunar events. The solar event is the Winter Solstice or the day of the year with the least amount of sun.  Typically the Winter Solstice falls on or adjacent to the 21st of December in the northern hemisphere. Then the Lunar New Year begins the day after the second full moon after the Winter Solstice.

In the Chinese Zodiac, 2024 marks the Year of the Wood Dragon. While many of us a...