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The Influence of the Chinese Calendar.
The Chinese Calendar or the Chinese Lunar Calendar as some call it, influences many things in Chinese life from Chinese New Year Celebrations to gender selection of babies.
I was surprised the influence the Chinese Lunar Calendar and its associated beliefs have on Chinese life.
On the one hand, the Chinese are very practical people. They have officially adopted the western Gregorian calendar (based on the Roman Julian calendar).
This means if you arrange a meeting on a particular date, both parties will arrive at the same time.
BUT, many Chinese place importance on the implications of the Chinese lunar calendar. Check this article out
in the Washington Post.
You will see that 2007 was the Year of the Pig in the Chinese Lunar Calendar.
In fact it was quite special – a one in sixty year occurrence called the “Golden Year of the Pig”.
Now, this is regarded as a very lucky year – so many Chinese couples decided to have babies in that year.
The result – overcrowded maternity wards and a huge increase in the sale of baby products – all because of the cycle in the Chinese lunar calendar!
History of the Chinese Lunar Calendar
Since ancient times, people all over the world have observed the cycle of the moon, sun and seasons and constructed calendars accordingly.
The Chinese did this as well.
They observed there was a cycle when the sun appeared in the same location in the sky and that interval of time became known as the “sun” which is our day.
The cycle through which the moon went (new moon through its phases to the full moon and back again) defined the month. This is about 29.5 days so the Chinese month (or “moon” as they call it) is 29 or 30 days.
Similarly by observing the changing position of the sun in the sky at the same time every day, and the associated seasons of summer, autumn, winter and spring, the period of a year was determined to be 365 and a 1/4 days.
We in the West cater for the quarter day by adding a day every 4 years in the leap year.
The Chinese lunar calendar adds an extra month to a year in its leap year.
When a leap year occurs is calculated by a complex formula to do with the number of new moons between the eleventh month of one year and next. The last leap year was 2006. There is a leap year about every three years.
How the Chinese calendar is constructed
The Chinese calendar is based on a 60 year cycle.
There is the 12 year cycle with each year representing an animal (dog, dragon, horse, monkey, ox, pig, rabbit, rat, rooster, sheep, snake, tiger).
There is also another cycle of 5 being earth, metal, water, wood, fire and earth.
Uses of the Chinese Calendar
Now the Chinese calendar is used for Chinese festivals and holidays, astrology and also for the best dates for special occasions like having a wedding.
The Chinese Lunar Calendar still plays a very important role in Chinese culture today.
Chinese Birth Calendar.....It has been so important to the Chinese for a long time. It is a popular prediction tool of the sex of a baby.
Click here to find out about the Chinese Birth Calendar.
Chinese Astrological Calendar.....It is the same as the Chinese Calendar but has an astrological interpretation. Very popular in China and throughout the world.
Click here to find out about the Chinese Astrological Calendar
Chinese New Year.....the activities that occur during the Chinese New Year are amazing, more so than in Western countries.
Click here to find out what to do in Sichuan during the Chinese New Year
Gain a little basic knowledge about each Chinese Zodiac sign from the Chinese calendar. It is not hard to do by relating it to the characteristics of the animal. Then you will be able to quickly strike up conversations with Chinese people you meet.
Year of the Ox.....the person born in the Year of the Ox is dependable and hardworking!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Ox
Year of the Tiger.....the person born in the Year of the Tiger possesses beauty and power but is also dangerous!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Tiger
Year of the Rabbit.....the person born in the Year of the Rabbit is neat and tidy!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Rabbit
Year of the Dragon.....the person born in the Year of the Dragon is a stand out!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Dragon
Year of the Snake.....You should be wary of the person born in the Year of the Snake!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Snake
Year of the Horse.....the person born in the Year of the Horse has so much energy!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Horse
Year of the Sheep.....the person born in the Year of the Sheep is very fashionable but easily lead!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Sheep
Year of the Monkey.....the person born in the Year of the Monkey is mischievous and a prankster!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Monkey
Year of the Rooster.....the person born in the Year of the Rooster is so cocky!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Rooster
Year of the Dog.....the person born in the Year of the Dog is so loyal and forgiving!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Dog
Year of the Pig.....the person born in the Year of the Pig is so lucky!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Pig
Year of the Rat.....the person born in the Year of the Rat is very hard working!
Click here to find out about the person born in the Year of the Rat
Return from Chinese Calendar to About Sichuan China
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