Chinese Calendar
Ancient lunisolar calendar with the 12-year zodiac cycle
About the Chinese Calendar
The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar that has been used in China for millennia. It incorporates both lunar months and solar terms to stay synchronized with the seasons. The calendar is famous for its 12-year zodiac cycle, where each year is associated with one of twelve animals.
π The Twelve Zodiac Animals
- Rat (ιΌ ) - Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind
- Ox (η) - Diligent, dependable, strong, determined
- Tiger (θ) - Brave, confident, competitive, unpredictable
- Rabbit (ε ) - Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible
- Dragon (ιΎ) - Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic
- Snake (θ) - Enigmatic, intelligent, wise
- Horse (马) - Animated, active, energetic
- Goat (ηΎ) - Calm, gentle, sympathetic
- Monkey (η΄) - Sharp, smart, curious
- Rooster (ιΈ‘) - Observant, hardworking, courageous
- Dog (η) - Lovely, honest, prudent
- Pig (ηͺ) - Compassionate, generous, diligent
π Key Features
- Lunisolar System - Months follow lunar phases, years follow solar cycle
- 12 or 13 months - Leap months added periodically to sync with seasons
- 29 or 30 days per month - Based on moon's orbital period
- 24 Solar Terms - Divides the year into segments marking seasonal changes
- 60-year cycle - Combination of 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches
π Major Chinese Festivals
- 1st day of 1st month - Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) - Most important celebration
- 15th day of 1st month - Lantern Festival - Marks end of New Year celebrations
- 5th day of 5th month - Dragon Boat Festival - Commemorates poet Qu Yuan
- 7th day of 7th month - Qixi Festival - Chinese Valentine's Day
- 15th day of 8th month - Mid-Autumn Festival - Celebrates harvest and family reunion
- 9th day of 9th month - Double Ninth Festival - Honors elderly, chrysanthemum viewing
π The Twelve Months
- First Month (ζ£ζ) - Spring Festival month
- Second Month (δΊζ) - Early spring
- Third Month (δΈζ) - Late spring
- Fourth Month (εζ) - Early summer
- Fifth Month (δΊζ) - Mid-summer
- Sixth Month (ε ζ) - Late summer
- Seventh Month (δΈζ) - Ghost Month
- Eighth Month (ε «ζ) - Mid-Autumn month
- Ninth Month (δΉζ) - Late autumn
- Tenth Month (εζ) - Early winter
- Eleventh Month (ε¬ζ) - Mid-winter
- Twelfth Month (θ ζ) - End of year preparations
π Historical Significance
The Chinese calendar has been in continuous use for over 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest calendars still in use today. Although the Gregorian calendar is used for civil purposes in China, the traditional calendar remains essential for determining festival dates, selecting auspicious days for important events, and maintaining cultural traditions across East Asia.