Life & Career · 农历与公历（Lunar & Solar Calendar） · Updated 2026-10-25
What Is Lunar & Solar Calendars?
Definition
In the Chinese calendar, months follow the synodic moon (29.53 days — the first is always moonless) while years track the solar year (365.24 days) via the 19-year 7-leap-month Metonic cycle. Lunar New Year falls between Jan 21 and Feb 20 on the Gregorian calendar (Feb 10 in 2024, Jan 29 in 2025). The 24 solar terms divide solar longitude into 15° steps, independent of moon phase — that is why Qingming always lands April 4-6. Zodiac years turn on the lunar new year, not New Year's Day.
Formula
19-year cycle: 19×12+7 = 235 lunations ≈ 19 solar years
Worked Example
Someone born January 1995 (within lunar year 甲戌) is actually a Dog, not a Pig — the zodiac flips at lunar new year, not January 1.
Common Misconception
"Lunar calendar = moon-only calendar" — pure lunar systems (like the Hijri) drift 11 days a year; the Chinese calendar is lunisolar with leap months and solar terms. Leap months carry no luck or unluck — they are calibration. And the Spring Festival date is fixed by the new moon, floating within Jan 21 - Feb 20 by design.
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