Chinese Lunar Calendar

Yinli is the lunar or agricultural calendar, which contains a mixture of solar and lunar elements. The lunar calendar is derived from astronomical observations of the longitude of the sun and the phases of the moon. Its beginnings can trace back to the 14"'century BC. Legend has it that the Yellow Emperor (黄帝) invented the calendar in 2637 BC. The Chinese calendar's years coincide with the tropical years, and its months coincide with the syndic months. An ordinary year has 12 months while a leap year has 13 months. An ordinary year has 353, 354, or 355 days, and a leap year has 383, 384, or 385 days. The Chinese calendar does not use a continuous year count, but instead uses a 60-year cycle and a system af regional years (starting with each emperor). In 1582 Jesuit missionaries introduced the Gregorian calendar to China, but not until 1912 was it adopted. With the adoption of the Western calendar, the yin-yang calendar lost its primary importance in Chinese society. Currently Chinese use the lunar calendar for the scheduling of holidays such as Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), the Mid-Autumn Festival, and for divination, including choosing the mast auspicious date for a wedding or the grand opening of an important building.