Introduction to Chinese Calendar & Ancient Year Notation
Year notation by emperor's reign
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 independent of emperors Years are rotated in a cycle, whereas each year is repeated after 60 years. Cyclic Calendar
One year (seasonal) calendar
Lunar calendar The lunar calendar is organized according to the moon phases and has ten months. Festivals and traditional customs and activities of the Chinese people observe this calendar.
This calendar is usually called "peasant calendar" by the Chinese and it is still in use today simultaneously with the solar calendar. The Chinese New Year and some other festivals and holidays are still following the lunar calendar.
Current year notation in China China has adopted the western 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. Taiwan is now (2010) in the (republic) year 99.
