subject: The Moon And The Chinese Lunar Calendar [print this page] The longest chronological records in history, the Chinese Lunar Calendar dates from the year 2600 BC. Emperor Huang Ti created the zodiac based calendar which is an annual calendar and is based on the cycles of the moon. The first month falls between January and February and a full cycle is 60 years with 12 cycles of 12 years.
Legend has it that the Chinese gods held a contest to assign the twelve animals that showed up for Buddha their sequence of order. As they lined up on the bank of a river they were told to get to the opposite shore and their order would determine their place on the calendar. The cat was afraid of the water. The ox had poor eyesight. The rat jumped on the ox's back to guide him and shoved the cat in the water. As the ox came onshore the rat jumped off and came in ahead of him. The pig came in last as he was lazy and the cat missed his opportunity entirely and vowed eternal revenge against the rat.
People born in the years 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988 and 2000 are said to be born in the year of the Dragon. These people tend to be full of enthusiasm and life and are popular with others. They like to have a good time and tend to make good politicians, artist and priests. Some famous dragons are Al Pacino, Vidal Sassoon, Jimmy Tarbuck and Bob Monkhouse.
Next is the ox, people born in this year inspire confidence and are born leaders. They can be demanding and methodical often good with their hands and make good hairdressers and surgeons. Famous people born under this sign are Jack Nicholson, Jack Lemmon, Shirley Bassey, Tony Benn and Charlie Drake.
Hard working people, those born under the year of the horse in the years 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990 and 2002 are independent by nature, intelligent and a bit selfish although friendly. They make good poets and scientists. Some famous people born in these years are Aretha Franklin, Clint Eastwood, Barbara Streisand, Robert Wagner, Ian Cuthbertson and Helmit Kohl.
Last but not least is the boar or the pig. People born in the years 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 and 2007 are honest and make good friends. They tend to be tolerant and expect the same from others. They tend to be disappointed when people don't live up to their standards. They are entertainers and do well in the arts. Some famous people born under this sign are Elton John, Dudley Moore, Gerry Rafferty, Bamber Gascoigne and David Bowie.
On January 1, 1912 the Gregorian calendar was adopted by the Republic of China for use with official business but the general population still used the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. Every 19 years the Gregorian and Chinese calendars sync and the Chinese people celebrate their birthdays every 19 years on both calendars. In 1929 the Gregorian calendar was more widely adopted and used to this day. The Chinese lunar calendar is now used for traditional holiday celebrations.
