Full Moon, Chinese New Year and Wan Phra

[Ratsima]

I realize this is a long shot, but….

Tomorrow (Tuesday, February 17th) is Wan Phra (วันพระ - Buddha Day). Normally, the last Wan Phra of the lunar month falls on the day of the new moon, known as วันดับ (the day the moon goes out).

However, the new moon doesn't occur until Thursday.

In the Chinese lunar calendar, the new year starts on the day of the new moon (the second new moon after the Winter Solstace). This year that is Thursday, February 19th, which is, indeed, the first day of Chinese New Year.

Anyone know why the Thai lunar calendar is two days off? Do they ever adjust it to get back in sync with the actual phases of the moon? (Leap Year, anyone?)

[dtaai-maai]

Have a look at these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_lunar_calendar
http://chiangmaibest.com/thai-buddhist-calendar/

[Ratsima]

Actually, that just confirms my puzzlement:

Wikipedia:

Buddhist Sabbaths, colloquially called วันพระ, are the New, First-quarter, Full, and Third-quarter Moon-days.

Tomorrow is Wan Phra. Tomorrow is not the New Moon.

[Nereus]

No idea what the Buddists call it, but the following is correct:

http://www.timeanddate.com/moon/thailand/hua-hin

[Ratsima]

Indeed, that page shows that New Moon this Thursday he 19th.

But why did the Thai Buddhist astrologers get it wrong by two days?

If they simply looked up at the moon this morning they would have seen quite clearly that it will not be New Moon tomorrow.

[Ratsima]

And, yes, I think too much….

[Takiap]

But why did the Thai Buddhist astrologers get it wrong by two days?

If they say New Moon is on Tuesday, then that is the way it it is.

[Ratsima]

Which is exactly the answer of every Thai I've spoken to. When we did our early walk this morning the not-new-moon was clearly visible at about 8% illumination. I pointed it out to my wife who just grinned and we moved on. Amazing country. Blind acceptance in face of clear evidence to the contrary.

Obviously, it doesn't sit well with me. I was always taught to think hard and ask questions. And, yes, it drives me crazy and keeps me up at night. I can't figure out how to turn it off.

[Nereus]

I can't figure out how to turn it off.

Wot, the moon or your line of thought.

You will definitely have more success turning off the moon, than the Buddist doctrine!

[Ratsima]

I can't figure out how to turn it off.

Wot, the moon or your line of thought.

You will definitely have more success turning off the moon, than the Buddist doctrine!

[yabz]

Anyone know why the Thai lunar calendar is two days off? Do they ever adjust it to get back in sync with the actual phases of the moon? (Leap Year, anyone?)

Thailand uses the sidereal calendar which does not account for the precession of the equinoxes.

It is based on the position of the stars not the planets.

Thus the moon enters Aquarius on Feb 19 in the sidereal zodiac but on Feb 17 in the tropical (western) zodiac.

[Ratsima]

How does that affect the calculation of the phases of the moon: New Moon, Full Moon, etc.?

Or, is Wikipedia incorrect to say that วันพระ falls on the day of the four phases of the moon?

[yabz]

How does that affect the calculation of the phases of the moon: New Moon, Full Moon, etc.?

Or, is Wikipedia incorrect to say that วันพระ falls on the day of the four phases of the moon?

The date on which the New Moon, Full Moon etc occurs changes over time.

In 8000 BC, for example, the New Moon would have been on 17th....

[Ratsima]

I understand that. This week, New Moon is tomorrow, the 19th. Wan Phra was yesterday, the 17th.

Wan Phra is supposed to be on New Moon, Waxing Half, Full Moon, Waning Half.

Yesterday was none of the above.

Why was it Wan Phra?

[yabz]

Why was it Wan Phra?

They are using a calendar that is frozen in time. Yesterday would have been the New Moon 10,000 years ago. This is what Wan Phra refers to.