Below is a graphic snapshot of the new moon and full moon days according to the Chinese calendar (scroll down to see the graphics each page in the cheeky Shorts below)
Why I compiled the full moon and new moon dates
Purpose of doing this is to help those who are observing new moon and full moon dates, but not able to read Chinese to know of the dates. It is not an issue if one is staying in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan (because even if one cannot read, the elders around would know) but if one had stayed in the West since young, it is hard to know the dates.
Some Chinese go through certain observance such as go on vegetarian diet and buy fruits and flowers to pray at the altar on full moon and new moon days based on the Chinese Lunar calendar. I can fully relate because I myself cannot really read Chinese but my mom had been quite particular in ensuring that I could write my own name and read very basic Chinese- the numbers and dates written in Chinese were the first things she drilled into me when young.
Hope the resource below is helpful. In the shorts above with the months under a minute. I use the song sang by Dicky Cheung, the theme song for the Journey to the West from TVB (1996 version). That show is quite a meaningful show and taught a lot of lessons. I actually did a recap on some episodes long time ago…. for anyone who is interested….. the link is here.
Compilation of Chinese Lunar Calendar full moon and new moon dates
Each year, I would compile the dates and list it in the following link:
FREE Calendar Download
You may download the 2025 Chinese Lunar Calendar…. it is FREE, as my gift to you:
Note: The year’s current calendar is always in this link: https://visit-malaysia.yinteing.com/calendar/
1st Chinese Lunar Month (农历一月)
Chinese New Year for 2025 would start on 29 January 2025 and end on 12 February 2025. The photo location is at Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia. During Chinese New Year, the beautiful lights of this temple by the Penang hill can be seen from afar.
2nd Chinese Lunar Month (农历二月)
For those who pray to Goddess of Mercy (Guan Yin Pusa), there are 3 days in a year where special observances are held. The photo location is at Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia.
3rd Chinese Lunar Month (农历三月)
Photo location: Hong Kong beautiful night scenery.
4th Chinese Lunar Month (农历四月)
Wesak Day is observed on 12 May 2025 in most Chinese countries. However, in Thailand, it is observed on 11 May 2025 (as full moon based on the Thai calendar falls on 11 May).
5th Chinese Lunar Month (农历五月)
6th Chinese Lunar Month (农历六月)
For those who pray to Goddess of Mercy (Guan Yin Pusa), there are 3 days in a year where special observances are held. The photo location is at Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia.
6th Chinese Lunar Month (闰六月) (leap month)
The Chinese calendar usually have a leap month each year, ie a Chinese month that is ‘duplicate’. The ‘duplicate’ month differs each year but for 2025, it is on the sixth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. The photo location is at Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang, Malaysia.
7th Chinese Lunar Month (农历七月)
Photo location: Ching Swee Temple in Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. The temple has a section where statues showing how the different levels of hells based on the Chinese Taoist tradition.
7th lunar month is known as the Hungry Ghost month where hell doors are supposedly open and the beings are allowed to wonder around earth, some allowed to come and take revenge…. and somehow during this month there tend to be more accidents, drowning and other unfortunate incidence. During ancient times, streets were deserted at night during this month as it is the Hungry Ghost Festival Month. Even during my childhood time, us kids were not allowed to go out at night, and strictly had to come back by sunset. When we were still in Malaysia, my mom who followed the Chinese tradition would burn paper items, hell money and offer food by the streets on the 14th day of the 7th lunar Chinese calendar. Some countries would do it on the 15th day. However, this practice has kind of died down a lot…. when I was a child, there would be a number of houses in the street I live who did the street prayers. But the last time I did in 2018, there were only very few houses in my neighborhood who did it.
8th Chinese Lunar Month (农历八月)
Mid Autumn or Mooncake Festival would fall on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. We would buy mooncakes as gifts especially to parents or elders. But over the years, mooncakes prices really go crazy high and many had turned to making their own mooncakes. Bakery suppliers such as Bake with Yen and House of Ingredients (HOI) would have everything one needs from ingredients, moulds, tools stickers and packaging for one to make one’s own mooncakes.
9th Chinese Lunar Month (农历九月)
The 1st to 9th day is the Nine Emperors Gods Festival. It often coincide with the Thailand Vegetarian Festival. For many years, I also observed vegetarian diet on these 9 days since it is relatively easy to get vegetarian dishes during this duration. It started during my university day when a friend asked me to join her in the observation.
For those who pray to Goddess of Mercy (Guan Yin Pusa), there are 3 days in a year where special observances are held.
10th Chinese Lunar Month (农历十月)
11th Chinese Lunar Month (农历十一月)
12th Chinese Lunar Month (农历十二月)
Starting from 19th January 2026, we would move to the Year of the Horse (Fire element). Do come back to this site ……I would try to get a calendar up and maybe the graphics like what you see above. Have a great 2025.
Hope this is useful to you. Download your free calendar and other printables in my buymeacoffee page> Shop.
