How to Read the Chinese Calendar
This calendar displays a full Chinese lunisolar month, which differs from the Gregorian calendar. Here’s how to read it:
- 1. Monthly View: The header shows the Zodiac Animal and the traditional Gan Zhi name for the current lunar year.
- 2. Navigation: Use the arrow buttons (< and >) to move to the next or previous Gregorian month. The calendar will then display the lunar month that corresponds to the middle of that Gregorian month.
- 3. Dual Dates: Each cell shows the large lunar day name (e.g., 初一 for the 1st) and the name of the lunar month. The smaller number below it is the corresponding day from the Gregorian calendar for easy reference.
- 4. Current Day: The current date is always highlighted with a distinct background so you can easily see where today falls in the lunar cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lunisolar calendar?
A lunisolar calendar is a calendar whose date indicates both the Moon phase and the time of the solar year. While the Gregorian calendar is a pure solar calendar, the Chinese calendar combines both. This is why the date of the Chinese New Year changes every year, as it is based on the moon's cycle.
How is the Zodiac animal determined?
The zodiac animal is determined by the Chinese lunar year, not the Gregorian year which always starts on January 1st. The lunar year begins on Chinese New Year (the first new moon after the winter solstice), which can fall anywhere from late January to mid-February. Because of this, someone born in January might belong to the previous year's zodiac animal.
What is a leap month?
Because a lunar year is shorter than a solar year, an extra "leap month" is added to the Chinese calendar approximately every three years to keep it in sync with the seasons. This calculator automatically handles the placement of leap months, so the calendar remains accurate over time.