Second Letter to an apartment in Australia about Chinese Calendar

To Whom It May Concern,

I truly appreciate the intention to be inclusive and culturally respectful.

I would just like to offer a small clarification regarding the naming of the festival again. The holiday celebrated on February 17 (Spring Festival) is historically and culturally known as Chinese New Year / Spring Festival. It originates from China and is based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar (a combination of lunar and solar calculations) rather than a purely lunar calendar.

From a technical perspective, the term “Lunar New Year” refers to a strictly lunar calendar, such as the Islamic calendar. If calculated using a true lunar calendar, the new year would fall around June rather than February. Therefore, calling this festival “Lunar New Year” is not fully accurate in terms of the calendar system.

While the celebration originated in China, we absolutely welcome other countries and cultures — such as Korea, Vietnam, and others — to celebrate together. Sharing the festival does not change its historical origin, and recognising its Chinese roots does not reduce inclusivity. In fact, acknowledging origins is an important part of respecting cultural diversity.

Inclusivity does not require erasing where traditions come from — it means recognizing and respecting each culture’s unique history.

For this reason, using “Chinese New Year” or “Spring Festival” would be both historically accurate and culturally respectful while using “Lunar New Year” is a kind of cultural appropriation.

I’d like to share the simplest examples: as a global language, we still call English as English instead of globalish 😂; people call it Merry Christmas but not happy holiday. In addition, I’d love to share with you some real examples that use CNY: Apple, Melbourne airport (as shown in pictures). For example, Singapore and Malaysia officially refer to it as Chinese New Year.

Therefore, I totally understand that it is not your fault since you’re not familiar with this festival. That’s what I believe in you 100%. All I want to do is to remind the misleading and its incorrect name.

Thank you again for your consideration and for creating such a warm and festive environment for everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing the change.