Chinese Calendar
Chinese New Year 1988
The Year of the Earth Dragon (戊辰, Wu Chen).
Quick Answer
Chinese New Year 1988 is on February 17, 1988, beginning the Year of the Earth Dragon (戊辰, Wu Chen), which lasts until February 5, 1989. Until then it is still the Year of the Fire Rabbit. In BaZi, which counts years from the solar term Start of Spring (Li Chun), the 1988 year begins on February 4, 1988 at 10:43 PM Beijing time (14:43 UTC). This lunar year has 12 months and no leap month.
Festivals 1988
Traditional festivals fixed to lunar dates.
| Festival | Date |
|---|---|
| Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) | |
| Lantern Festival | |
| Dragon Boat Festival | |
| Qixi Festival | |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | |
| Double Ninth Festival |
Tai Sui 1988
In the Year of the Earth Dragon, the signs traditionally said to be in conflict with Tai Sui, the year's ruling deity, are Dragon (birth year and punishment), Dog (clash), Rabbit (harm) and Ox (break).
Lunar Months of the Earth Dragon Year
Twelve months, each beginning on the day of a new moon in Beijing.
| Month | Starts | Length |
|---|---|---|
| First Month | 30 days | |
| Second Month | 29 days | |
| Third Month | 30 days | |
| Fourth Month | 29 days | |
| Fifth Month | 30 days | |
| Sixth Month | 29 days | |
| Seventh Month | 30 days | |
| Eighth Month | 30 days | |
| Ninth Month | 29 days | |
| Tenth Month | 30 days | |
| Eleventh Month | 30 days | |
| Twelfth Month | 29 days |
The 24 Solar Terms of 1988
Start of Spring (Li Chun) opens the BaZi year; each term in bold opens a BaZi month.
| Solar Term | Begins | Sun Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold Xiaohan, 小寒 | 285° | |
| Major Cold Dahan, 大寒 | 300° | |
| Start of Spring Lichun, 立春 | 315° | |
| Rain Water Yushui, 雨水 | 330° | |
| Awakening of Insects Jingzhe, 惊蛰 | 345° | |
| Spring Equinox Chunfen, 春分 | 0° | |
| Clear and Bright Qingming, 清明 | 15° | |
| Grain Rain Guyu, 谷雨 | 30° | |
| Start of Summer Lixia, 立夏 | 45° | |
| Grain Buds Xiaoman, 小满 | 60° | |
| Grain in Ear Mangzhong, 芒种 | 75° | |
| Summer Solstice Xiazhi, 夏至 | 90° | |
| Minor Heat Xiaoshu, 小暑 | 105° | |
| Major Heat Dashu, 大暑 | 120° | |
| Start of Autumn Liqiu, 立秋 | 135° | |
| End of Heat Chushu, 处暑 | 150° | |
| White Dew Bailu, 白露 | 165° | |
| Autumn Equinox Qiufen, 秋分 | 180° | |
| Cold Dew Hanlu, 寒露 | 195° | |
| Frost's Descent Shuangjiang, 霜降 | 210° | |
| Start of Winter Lidong, 立冬 | 225° | |
| Minor Snow Xiaoxue, 小雪 | 240° | |
| Major Snow Daxue, 大雪 | 255° | |
| Winter Solstice Dongzhi, 冬至 | 270° |
Explore the Zodiac
Questions About 1988
When Is Chinese New Year 1988?
Chinese New Year 1988 is on February 17, 1988, beginning the Year of the Earth Dragon (戊辰, Wu Chen), which lasts until February 5, 1989. Until then it is still the Year of the Fire Rabbit. In BaZi, which counts years from the solar term Start of Spring (Li Chun), the 1988 year begins on February 4, 1988 at 10:43 PM Beijing time (14:43 UTC). This lunar year has 12 months and no leap month.
What Chinese Zodiac Animal Is 1988?
1988 is mostly the Year of the Earth Dragon (戊辰), from February 17, 1988. Dates before then belong to the Year of the Fire Rabbit.
Which Signs Offend Tai Sui in 1988?
In the Year of the Earth Dragon, the signs traditionally said to be in conflict with Tai Sui, the year's ruling deity, are Dragon (birth year and punishment), Dog (clash), Rabbit (harm) and Ox (break).
Does the 1988 Lunar Year Have a Leap Month?
No. The lunar year beginning in 1988 has 12 months.
When Is the Mid-Autumn Festival in 1988?
The Mid-Autumn Festival, the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, falls on September 25, 1988.
Why Do Some Calendars Give a Different Date?
Dates are computed astronomically, following the rules of the modern Chinese calendar (GB/T 33661-2017): days in China Standard Time (UTC+8), months starting on the day of the new moon, the winter solstice always in the eleventh month, and leap months placed in the first month without a principal solar term. Solar terms are the moments the Sun reaches each 15 degree point of its path, computed with the Astronomy Engine library. Years before 1929 used Beijing local time, so a handful of historical dates can differ by one day from older almanacs.
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