Even in today’s fast-paced, digital world, where we rely on smartphones and Google Calendar, the Chinese lunar calendar still holds a strong presence — especially in places like China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, and among overseas Chinese communities.
If you're like me, you might have noticed a few patterns that seem to happen every year:
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Qingming Festival is always rainy and misty
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You shouldn't pack away your winter clothes until after the Dragon Boat Festival
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Dongzhi (Winter Solstice) always seems to land just three days before Christmas
These aren't just old sayings — they actually hold up year after year! Let’s dive into this fascinating calendar system: where it came from, how it works, and why it still matters so much today.
๐ A Calendar That’s Both Lunar and Solar
The Chinese calendar is what we call lunisolar. That means it tracks both the moon’s phases and the sun’s position throughout the year. It’s been in use for over 4,000 years, reportedly introduced during the reign of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi).
Some of its core elements:
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12 lunar months in a year (with a leap month every 2–3 years to stay in sync with the solar year)
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Each month begins with the new moon
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A 60-year cycle combining the 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches (which gave us the Chinese zodiac animals)
It’s a brilliant system that blends astronomy, nature, and culture all into one.
๐ Key Features You’ll Recognize
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24 Solar Terms (่ๆฐ): Seasonal markers like Qingming, Start of Summer, and Winter Solstice help with farming and health practices.
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Lunar New Year: The biggest holiday in the Chinese-speaking world, based on the lunar calendar.
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Zodiac Animals: Each year is linked to one of 12 animals — from Rat to Pig — still widely used in horoscopes and personality predictions.
๐ฎ Why It’s Still So Widely Used
Even though we all officially follow the Gregorian calendar, the lunar calendar is still deeply embedded in daily life, especially in:
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Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong
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Vietnam (where it’s known as รm lแปch)
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Korea (for festivals like Seollal and Chuseok)
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Malaysia and Singapore (among Chinese communities)
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Japan (some traditions still follow lunar timings)
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Overseas Chinese communities all around the world
Why people still love and use it:
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It connects us with traditional festivals and family rituals
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It follows the natural seasonal flow
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It’s still used for choosing lucky dates — for weddings, funerals, business openings, and more
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It reminds us where we came from — a bridge to ancestral heritage
๐ง️ Folk Wisdom That Still Rings True
Here are a few things I’ve observed over the years — and I’m sure many of you have too:
๐ซ Qingming is always misty and damp
It falls around April 4–6 — early spring. The old saying goes:
“ๆธ ๆๆถ่้จ็บท็บท” — “During Qingming, the drizzle keeps falling.”
Somehow, it’s almost always accurate.
๐งฅ Don’t pack away your warm clothes before the Dragon Boat Festival
That’s in the 5th lunar month (usually June). There's even a folk warning:
“ๆช้ฃไบๆ็ง, ๅฏ่กฃไธๅฏ้!” — “Don’t pack your winter clothes before Dragon Boat Festival.”
❄️ Dongzhi always arrives right before Christmas
Usually landing on Dec 21–23, Winter Solstice often feels like a seasonal prelude to Christmas — just in a dumpling-eating, family-reunion kind of way.
๐ The Lunar Calendar in Modern Life
Today, even across the globe, the lunar calendar is far from forgotten. You’ll find it in:
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Chinese calendars with both Gregorian and lunar dates
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Birthday traditions and ancestor memorials
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Planning tools for fortune-telling, naming babies, or picking lucky days
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Revivals of culture among younger generations curious about their roots
It’s a quiet presence, yet still guides the rhythm of life for many.
✨ Final Thoughts
The Chinese lunar calendar isn’t just a system for counting days — it’s a living connection to nature, tradition, and identity. It helps us remember to slow down, notice the seasons, honor our elders, and celebrate life’s turning points.
So next time Qingming brings rain, or Dongzhi arrives just before Christmas, take a moment to appreciate the wisdom carried in these age-old rhythms. They’re still here — and they still matter.
What are your memories tied to the lunar calendar?
Have you noticed any patterns or sayings that always seem to come true?
Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear your stories!
Tags: Chinese culture, lunar calendar, East Asian traditions, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat, Dongzhi, Chinese zodiac, heritage, overseas Chinese
Why do Chinese use lunar calendar? | Let's Chinese
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