Chinese Calendar

The beginnings of the Chinese calendar can be traced back to the 14th century B.C.  Legend has it that the Emperor Huangdi invented the calendar in 2637 B.C.  The Chinese lunar calendar was used for determining the times of planting, harvesting, and festival occasions. Although today people in China use the western calendar for civil purposes, the old system still serves as the basis for determining festivals.

The Chinese lunar calendar is based on exact astronomical observations of the longitude of the sun and the phases of the moon. It’s actually a combined solar/lunar calendar. A lunar month is determined by the period required for the moon to complete its full cycle of 29 and half days, a standard that makes the lunar year a full 11 days shorter than its solar counterpart. This difference is made up every 19 years by the addition of seven lunar months. The 12 lunar months are further divided into 24 solar segments according to the sun positions on the tropical zodiac, which are distinguished by the four seasons and times of heat and cold, all bearing close relationship to the yearly cycle of agricultural work. Therefore, the Chinese lunar calendar is also called farmer’s calendar.

Solar Segments     Sun longitude
Start of Spring                                  315
Rain Water                                      330
Excited Insects                               345
Vernal Equinox                               0
Clear and Bright                             15
Grain Rains                                     30
Start of Summer                               45
Grain Fills                                        60
Grain in Ear                                     75
Summer solstice                              90
Slight Heat                                      105
Great Heat                                       120
Start of Autumn                               135
Still Hot                                            150
White Drew                                     165
Autumnal Equinox                       180
Cold Drew                                       195
Frost Descends                               210
Start of Winter                                 225
Light Snow                                      240
Heavy Snow                                    255
Winter Solstice                               270
Little Cold                                        285
Severe Cold                                      300

The 24 solar segments begin with the "Start of Spring," which is followed in turn by "Rain Water," when preparations for planting are made; "Excited Insects," a time of spring thunder and the stirring of new life; the spring equinox; "Clear and Bright," marked by the howling of southeasterly winds; and "Grain Rains," reminding the farmers that the seasonal downpours are beginning. The summer segments begin with "Start of Summer"; "Grain Fills," when the grain swells on the stalks; "Grain in Ear," marking the time of harvest; the summer solstice; and "Slight Heat" and "Great Heat," when the warmth of summer becomes increasingly more oppressive.

The "Start of Autumn" begins to cool down; "White Dew," when the moisture congeals to frost; the autumnal equinox, the true start of the fall season; and with "Cold Dew" and " Frost Descends," the weather turns cold as winter nears. “Light Snow” and “Heavy Snow follow the “Start of Winter,”" which mark the beginning of deep winter. Then come winter solstice, "Little Cold" and "Severe Cold," the final three segments of the cycle before beginning the new year.