The Chinese calendar is a lunar calendar with the basics of a solar calendar. It is based on exact astronomical observations of the longitude of the sun and the phases of the moon. The beginnings of the calendar go back to the 14th century B.C.E.

The Chinese lunisolar calendar is divided into 12 months of 29 or 30 days. A 12-year-cycle is continuously repeated. The calendar is adjusted to the length of the solar year by the addition of extra months at regular intervals. The years are arranged in major cycles of 60 years.
According to one of many legends, Lord Buddha had invited all animals for dinner and only 12 accepted the invitation. These 12 animals were each awarded a year: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and pig.

Chinese people like to use the calendar for determining the best date for personal events like a wedding or success at work. The calendar is not only followed in China but also in several other Asian cultures. Even in western culture people refer to it.

Chinese New Year is the main holiday of the year for most of China's population. Although the People’s Republic of China uses the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes, a special Chinese calendar is used for determining festivals. Chinese New Year's Eve is a day where Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner.