Confusingly Interesting!
The Chinese calendar is intimidating for those who do not understand it or have never heard of such a thing.
Credit: jmurawski
Most Americans are accustomed to the Gregorian (western) calendar which is the standard for the United States.
However, there are a lot of Asian-Americans that use the Chinese calendar in addition to the Gregorian calendar.
We will slowly attempt to unpack and explain what a Chinese calendar is to give you a better understanding of what it is, why it’s used, and what it is based upon.
The intricacies of this calendar is quite fascinating.
Who uses the Chinese calendar?
China, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan are the primary countries that use the Chinese calendar.
Additionally, some Asian-Americans use it in addition to the Gregorian (western) calendar.
Why do Asians use this calendar?
What’s interesting is most Asian countries also use the Gregorian calendar just as we do but they reference the Chinese calendar for festivals, birthdays, agriculture, and seasons.
This calendar also provides favorable dates for planning important life events such as weddings, funerals, starting a new job, or moving to a new place.
The entire calendar is based around the Chinese zodiac which not only provides horoscopes, but each year keeps features a representational animal.
Astronomical observances regarding the phases of the moon and the sun’s longitude are the foundation for the Chinese calendar making it lunisolar.
Components Of A Chinese Calendar
The Chinese calendar has a multitude of components that allows one to:
The calendar uses:
2. The calendar is planned out in one of two formats: tropical year or synodic months. This is done according to the earth’s orbit around the sun which helps in planting/harvesting.
The calendar is based on:
3. A Chinese calendar is focused on the earth’s orbit around the sun; where it is in relation to
the sun at a specific time of year. This also helps in giving people an idea of when it’s
favorable to plant and harvest.
The calendar uses:
Vernal Equinox | Summer Solstice | Autuminal Equinox | Winter Solstice |
---|---|---|---|
(5 solar breaths) | (5 solar breaths) | (5 solar breaths) | (5 solar breaths) |
Clear and Bright | Minor Heat | Cold Dew | Minor Cold |
Grain Rain | Major Heat | Frost Descent | Major Cold |
Start of Summer | Start of Autumn | Start of Winter | Start of Spring |
Small Field Grain | Limit of Heat | Minor Snow | Rain Water |
Grain in Ear | White Dew | Major Snow | Awakening of Insects |
4. Chinese calendars are planned out in 60-year increments which is known as a Sexegenary Cycle. This is relative to the Chinese zodiac. A cycle is further broken down into 12-year cycles which are repeated 5 times (12 months x 5 = 60-year cycle)
The calendar is based on:
12 Zodiac Signs (see image below)
Pig | Tiger | Snake | Monkey |
Rat | Rabbit | Horse | Rooster |
Oxen | Dragon | Sheep | Dog |
History Behind The Chinese Calendar
The Chinese calendar was introduced by Chinese Emperor Huangdi in 2637 BC who developed the first cycle of the zodiac.
This calendar is the most extensive chronological record found in history.
The zodiac Emperor Huangdi created was simple and did not include the 12 zodiac animals.
There is no evidence of exactly when the 12 animal zodiac was created, but it has been estimated being introduced around 5th century BC.
The 12 animal zodiac became a way to track one’s birth date during the North Zhou Dynasty in 557-581 AD.
This system is still used today. Each animal represents a different year that fall in cycles of 60 years.
Zodiac Animal Traits
If you happen to be born in the year of the animal, it is said that you have specific traits.
Rat | 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 | Quick Witted, Resourceful, Versatile |
Ox | 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 | Decisive, Honest, Dependable, Hardworking |
Tiger | 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 | Brave, Competitive, Unpredictable, Self-Confident |
Rabbit | 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 | Gentle, Quiet, Elegant, Skillful, Kind, Patient |
Dragon | 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 | Confident, Smart, Ambitious, Hardworking |
Snake | 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 | Smart, Courageous, Confident, Insightful, Communicative |
Horse | 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 | Animated, Kind, Straightforward, Active, Energetic |
Sheep | 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 | Gentle, Shy, Stable, Sympathetic, Amicable |
Monkey | 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 | Witty, Smart, Ambitious, Adventurous |
Rooster | 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 | Observant, Hardworking Resourceful, Courageous, Talented |
Dog | 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 | Loyal, Honest, Amiable, Kind, Cautious, Prudent |
Pig | 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 | Diligent, Compassionate, Generous, Easy-going, Gentle |
Zodiac Compatibility
Rat | Ox | Tiger |
Dragon | Snake | Horse |
Sheep | Monkey | Rooster |
Dog | Rabbit | Pig |
Confused yet Understood
After learning the basics of what goes into planning a Chinese calendar and what the components are, it tends to still leave one scratching their head.
The question, “why so much for a simple calendar?” is often asked.
Asians who follow the zodiac (the 12 animals) for horoscope reasons, as well as the seasonal and earth’s orbit aspects, use this information for their daily lives.
Contrastly, we merely go to a calendar to know what day or date it is.
Calendars around the world serve a purpose for that culture just as ours does.
Although we don’t understand them, learning more about them makes it somewhat understandable and interesting.
Fun Facts About Calendars!
References
(n.d.) The Chinese Zodiac, Retrieved from: https://depts.washington.edu/triolive/quest/2007/TTQ07030/history.html
Thorsen, S. (n.d.) The Chinese Calendar, Retrieved from:
https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/about-chinese.html