In this article, NUENCE MTC gives you a brief overview of Chinese calendars. Indeed, there are several and they are complex to understand.

These calendars show how the Chinese have historically integrated astronomical and climatic observations into their daily lives and cultural practices.

1. The Solar Calendar

The Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 periods called Jie Qi (节气), which reflect climatic changes and the rising and falling phases of Yin and Yang. These periods are based on the solar cycle and include events such as solstices and equinoxes.

Unlike the Western calendar, where equinoxes and solstices mark the beginning of the seasons, in the Chinese calendar, they instead mark the middle of the seasons and the peak of the corresponding energies. For example, the energy magnitude of spring will be at the equinox, on March 21.

2. The Lunisolar Calendar
The lunisolar calendar combines the cycles of the moon and the sun. The year is divided into 12 or 13 lunar months, with each month beginning with a new moon. 2 This calendar is used to determine important dates such as the Chinese New Year, which begins on the first day of the second new moon after the winter solstice.

3. The Climatic Calendar
The climatic calendar is used for preventive care in traditional Chinese medicine. It divides the year into six periods, each corresponding to specific climatic changes. This calendar helps to adapt medical treatments according to climatic conditions.

Here are some examples of these periods:

1. Lichun (立春) - Beginning of spring
2. Yushui (雨水) - Rain of waters
3. Jingzhe (惊蛰) - Awakening of insects
4. Qingming (清明) - Pure light
5. Xiaoshu (小暑) - Small heat
6. Dashu (大暑) - Great heat

For example, during periods of great heat, specific treatments are recommended to balance the body and prevent heat-related illnesses.

4. Energy Calendar
The Chinese energy calendar is based on the cycles of Yin and Yang and the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water). It divides the year into five seasons, each associated with a specific element and energies: the 4 seasons that we know (each lasts about 72 days) + 1 central season also called "inter-season" of 18 days between each season.

The most significant of these inter-seasons is the one between summer and fall, our Indian summer. It represents a refocusing of the elements of nature (read our other bloq articles on this subject).