Understanding Chinese Calendars

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.

Modern science has definitely affected the Chinese calendar in many different ways. This particular calendar is based around the cycles of the moon and the longitude of the sun, so you can see how transforming this piece of history into something science-related could do nothing but help it.

With the Gregorian calendar, the first of the month begins on the first day of the month - naturally. Under the system used by the Chinese calendar, however, the first day of the month coincides with the day of the new moon. Similarly, the longitude of the sun is used to determine important days of the year.

So, one year in every twelve is devoted to a particular animal under the Chinese calendar. This year, 2009, is devoted to the Ox. The years 1987 and 1965 were also devoted to the Ox. People who are born in 2009 will likewise be born under the sign of the Ox.

Henry Fong
Feng Shui Consultant
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