Chinese calendar facts for kids
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Traditional Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar which reckons years, months and days according to astronomical phenomena. It is used for traditional activities in China and overseas Chinese communities. It depicts and lists the dates of traditional Chinese holidays, and guides Chinese people in selecting the most auspicious days for weddings, funerals, moving, or beginning a business.
In the Chinese calendar, the days begin and end at midnight. The months begin on the day with the dark (new) moon. The years begin with the dark moon near the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox. The solar terms are the important components of the Chinese calendar. In a month, there are one to three solar terms.
The currently used traditional Chinese calendar is the end result of centuries of evolution. Many astronomical and seasonal factors were added by ancient scientists, and people can reckon the date of natural phenomena such as the moon phase and tide upon the Chinese calendar. The Chinese calendar has over 100 variants, whose characteristics reflect the calendar's evolutionary path. As with Chinese characters, different variants are used in different parts of the Chinese cultural sphere.
Although the month sequences of Chinese calendar is decided by the solar term, the Chinese calendar is not an agriculture calendar.
History
The current version of the Chinese calendar was developed for the Chongzhen Emperor in the 17th century. It has
Today in China the Gregorian calendar is used for most activities. At the same time, the Chinese calendar is still used for traditional Chinese holidays like Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year.
Images for kids
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Page of a Chinese calendar
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Five-phase and four-quarter calendars
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Explanatory chart for traditional Chinese time
See also
In Spanish: Calendario chino para niños
