How Chinese Calendars Work

The Chinese calendar represents the longest chronological history of time in the entire world. It has been used since approximately 2600 BC. That is when the Emperor, Huang Ti, initially created the zodiac cycle. That cycle is still widely used today. Chinese calendars operate around the zodiac, among other things. For instance, it is also based around the cycles of the moon. For that reason, it is also known as the Lunar Calendar.

There are a surprising number of similarities between the Chinese and Western, Gregorian calendars. However the differences are more important. The Western calendar focuses on months more than years. However, with the Lunar calendar, one year in every twelve has the name of a particular animal. This is due to a legend wherein Buddha summoned all the animals of the world to bid him farewell before he left earth. Only twelve showed up. As a reward for their kindness, Buddha named a year after each animal, in order of appearance.

This is why the Chinese zodiac and the calendar are interconnected. A lot of people believe that the year and animal in which you were born determines your personality. It can influence many aspects of your life.

A huge portion of the overall population of the world are Chinese. That leaves many people following the Chinese calendar and celebrating the Chinese New Year. However, Chinese people do not follow the calendar entirely. They use the Gregorian calendar as well. The Lunar calendar is used only for planning the festivals celebrated by the Chinese, such as the new year.

The zodiac is not the only thing which governs this calendar. Certain aspects of astronomy also play a part in it. Notably, the phases of the moon and the sun's longitude play a huge role in determining the Lunar calendar. As you might imagine, the system has thus been greatly influenced by certain aspects of science.

Let us consider the phases of the moon first. They are extremely important. Under the Chinese calendar, the coming of the new moon means that a new month is starting. Conversely, the sun's longitude helps to determine important periods of time - the Principal Terms.

Most people recognize this calendar because of the zodiac animals used. Those children who are born in 2009 will belong to the Ox. Those who were born in 1988 - twelve years ago - were also born under the sign of the Ox.