Chinese Lunar Calendar Introduction

The lunar calendar (nong li) is the traditional Chinese calendar and is often used in agriculture.

According to nong li, the crescent appears on the first day of each month and full moon comes out at in the middle of the month. The cycle lasts for about 30 days.

24 days mark 24 divisions of the solar year in nong li, according to the different positions of the sun. For example, the division “lichun” or “the beginning of spring”, reminds people that spring is coming. “Jingzhe” or “the walking of insects” means that the weather is getting warmer. “Lixia” or “the beginning of summer” is the point that crops are blooming. “Dahan” or “the great cold” is the end of severe winter. All these create a circle. Year after year people experience the mysteries of nature with nong li.