Why Is Chinese New Year on the Date It Is?

Like Christmas/New Year in other countries, Chinese New Year is simply a much-needed winter holiday at an auspicious time. Rest Before a New Farming Year Chinese New Year was set to coincide with the slack time just before a new year of farm work begins, as a time of preparation. When most Chinese were farmers this made sense. Now 55% of China's population is urban (a generation ago it was 25%), but 100+ million return to their rural roots for CNY. Chinese traditionally celebrated the start of a new year of farm work, and wished/prayed for a good harvest. This has now evolved into celebrating the start of a new business year and wishing for profits and success in various vocations.