So would right now be a "New moon"? which the Chinese seem to base their annual calander on?....................a month behind the rest of us (as we base ours on one cycle of the earth around the sun)?
The calendar is a mix of lunar and solar (a bit like the calculation of Easter). The 12 months are Lunar. But the winter solstice (a solar event) must occur in the 11th Lunar Month. It works out that usually the new year (first day of 1st Lunar month) starts on the second new moon after he Solstice; leading it to be also called lunar new year. Hence it occurs at a different date each year. Astronomically it follows that (roughly) the Chinese and western calendars sync up every 19 years, the Metonic cycle.
Oh and Chinese new year better be on the 7th not the 1st this year or I'll be in trouble with my girlfriend!
  