Chinese Traditonal Festivals and Holidays
Prior
to the introduction of the solar calendar system from the West, China
exclusively followed a lunar calendar in determining the times of
planting, harvesting, and festival occasions. Though today the people
in China use the western calendar for most practical matters of daily
life, the old system still serves as the basis for determining numerous
seasonal holidays. This coexistence of two calendar systems has long
been accepted by the people of China. A lunar month is determined
by the period required for the moon to complete its full phasic cycle
of 29 and a half days, a standard that makes the lunar year a full
11 days shorter than its solar counterpart. This difference is made
up every 19 years by the addition of seven lunar months. The 12 lunar
months are further divided into 24 solar Divisions
distinguished by the four seasons and times of heat and cold, all
bearing close relationship to the yearly cycle of agricultural work.
Copyright 1996
Government Information Office,
Republic of China All rights reserved.
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