Chinese Calendar and Year Notation

Introduction to the Chinese Calendar

Most Chinese presently use the lunar calendar and the solar calendar 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.

Currently, in China year notation follows the western calendar year. In the case of Taiwan the year of the republic is more often used internally, and by the general population. The first year of the republic was 1912, the year the Chinese Republic was established, following the demise of the Qing empire. This type of year  follows the tradition of the old Chinese imperial year notation. Pagoda above lake

The Calendar
When we speak of the Chinese calendar, it is always necessary to clarify which one we are talking of. Historically, China has always used two different time recording methods. One is the imperial year notation, the other is based on the 60-year cyclic calendar, which itself is based on the 12-year zodiac calendar.

Collectors of ceramics should usually have knowledge of both. They may be required for dating, although the imperial year notation will be encountered more often. Cyclic calendar years are mostly encountered on 19th and early 20th century items.

Traditional year notation

• Imperial year notation
  With this sort of notation each time a new emporer ascends the throne the year count starts anew. Each time the new emperor ascent assumes a new reign name.
  Example: Kangxi reign 1662 ~ 1722
  Thus, the 15th year of Kangxi would be 1676 according to the western calendar. (Kangxi is the reign name)
  

• 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 cycle of 60 years, whereas the complete cycle is repeated after 60 years. See also Cyclic Calendar

One year (seasonal) calendar

• Lunar calendar
  The lunar calendar is actually a lunisolar calendar, that is, it follows also some solar events. It 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 or agriculture calendar" by the Chinese. It is still in use today, simultaneously with the solar calendar. The Lunar New Year and some other Chinese festivals and holidays still follow the lunar calendar dates, while some follow the solar .

Current Chinese year notation
China has adopted western year notation. Traditional festivals still follow the lunar or agriculture 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 (the same method as with imperial year notation).
1911 was the last year of the Qing dynasty. The first year of the republic falls on 1912. Thus, 2013 is the (republic) year 102.

Chinese Zodiac or Lunar Calendar

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