Most Chinese presently use the solar and lunar calendars concurrently. Chinese traditional holidays and festivals are mainly based on the lunar calendar. Some social activities like weddings, funerals, and other important actions like moving house, etc. also depend on the traditional Chinese calendar.
However, year recording (dates) are done according to the western calendar year. In the case of Taiwan in addition to that the year of the republic is frequently used, both from year recording as well as by the general population. The first year of the republic was 1912, the year the Chinese Republic was established.
In ancient times, however, either the reign year or zodiac year (or 60 year cyclic calendar) were used for recording or activities.Year notation by emperor's reign name
Year notation according to emperor's reign year With this sort of notation each time a new emporer ascends the throne the year count starts from one. Example: Kangxi reign 1662 ~ 1722 Thus, the 15th year of Kangxi would be 1676 according to the western calendar.
Cyclic calendar year based on the Chinese zodiac calendar (zodiac years) Years are rotated in a cycle combined with the five elements to form a cicle of 60 years, whereas each combination year of the cycle is repeated after 60 years. See also Cyclic Calendar
One year (seasonal) calendar
Lunar calendar The lunar calendar is organized according to the moon phases and has ten months. Many Chinese festivals, traditional customs and activities of the Chinese people adhere to this calendar.
This calendar is usually called "peasant lendar or agriculture cacalendar" by the Chinese and it is still in use today, simultaneously with the solar calendar. The Lunar New Year and some other Chinese festivals and holidays are still following the lunar calendar dates.
Current year notation in China China has adopted western year notation. Traditional festivals still follow the lunar calendar.
Year notation in Taiwan For year notation related to international matters the western calendar year is used. Internally, Taiwan counts the year beginning with the first year of the republic. 1911 was the last year of the Qing dynasty. The first year of the republic falls on 1912. Thus, Taiwan is now (2011) in the (republic) year 100.
