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Chinese Calendar

Traditional Chinese lunar calendar with zodiac animals, Chinese New Year dates, and major festivals. Includes both Gregorian and lunar dates.

🐴

Year of the Horse

丙午

View 2026 Calendar

Free Printable

Chinese Calendar PDF (2026)

Includes Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, and traditional festival overview in one-page PDF.

Download PDF

Chinese New Year Dates

Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.

12 Chinese Zodiac Animals

The Chinese zodiac is a 12-year cycle where each year is associated with an animal sign.

🐀

Rat

Shǔ

#1

🐂

Ox

Niú

#2

🐅

Tiger

#3

🐇

Rabbit

#4

🐉

Dragon

Lóng

#5

🐍

Snake

Shé

#6

🐴

Horse

#7

🐐

Goat

Yáng

#8

🐵

Monkey

Hóu

#9

🐓

Rooster

#10

🐕

Dog

Gǒu

#11

🐷

Pig

Zhū

#12

Gregorian → Lunar Converter

Find Your Lunar Birthday

Quickly map any Gregorian date to an approximate lunar month and day. Perfect for planning traditional celebrations or learning your lunar zodiac placement.

Data is educational and based on average lunar cycles. For ceremonial use, confirm with an official almanac.

Approximate Lunar Date

Wu Yue (Fifth Month), 8th

126 days after Chinese New Year

Zodiac Influence

Year of the Horse ()

Fire element

Cultural Accuracy & Sources

Dates and descriptions are cross-referenced with Hong Kong Observatory datasets, Huáxià Almanac, and the Smithsonian's Lunar New Year educator guides. We combine historical tradition with modern planning guidance.

  • Terminology follows Mandarin pinyin with simplified characters for clarity.
  • Festival descriptions emphasize shared customs while acknowledging regional variations (Cantonese vs. Hokkien rituals).
  • Recommended reference: Tong Shu / 通书 or your local Chinese cultural association for ceremonial timing.

Major Chinese Festivals

Traditional Chinese festivals based on the lunar calendar.

🧧

Chinese New Year

春节

Most important traditional Chinese festival celebrating the lunar new year

Lunar Month 1, Day 1

🏮

Lantern Festival

元宵节

Marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations with lanterns and rice balls

Lunar Month 1, Day 15

🌿

Qingming Festival

清明节

Tomb-sweeping day to honor ancestors, usually April 4-6

🐲

Dragon Boat Festival

端午节

Commemorates poet Qu Yuan with dragon boat races and zongzi

Lunar Month 5, Day 5

🥮

Mid-Autumn Festival

中秋节

Celebrates harvest moon with mooncakes and family reunions

Lunar Month 8, Day 15

🏔️

Double Ninth Festival

重阳节

Day to honor elders and climb mountains for good luck

Lunar Month 9, Day 9

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, occurring between January 21 and February 20. The exact date varies each year based on the lunar calendar.

What are the 12 Chinese zodiac animals?

The 12 Chinese zodiac animals in order are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year is associated with one animal in a 12-year cycle.

How do I find my Chinese zodiac sign?

Your Chinese zodiac sign is determined by your birth year in the Chinese calendar. However, if you were born before Chinese New Year (late January or February), your zodiac may be the previous year's animal.

What is the difference between Chinese calendar and Gregorian calendar?

The Gregorian calendar is solar-based with 365 days, while the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, following both the moon phases and solar year. Chinese months begin on new moons, and the calendar includes leap months to stay aligned with seasons.

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