The lunar calendar, as one of the traditional Chinese calendars, is often misunderstood as a lunar calendar. However, in fact, the lunar calendar is not a pure lunar or solar calendar, but a lunisolar calendar that combines elements of the lunar and solar calendars. This calendar is unique in that it combines the cycle of the moon phase and the length of the sun's return year, and adapts the average calendar year to the return year by means of intercalary months, etc.
First, let's take a look at the basic concepts of the lunar and solar calendars. The lunar calendar, also known as the summer calendar, is a calendar based on the laws of the moon's rotation around the earth. A month is cycled in the lunar calendar with a synodic month and is approximately 2953 days. The lunar calendar is mainly based on the change of the phases of the moon, and each month begins on the new day, with the fifteenth day as the sun, which constitutes the basic structure of the month. On the other hand, the Gregorian calendar is a calendar based on the position of the sun and the length of the solar year. The solar calendar year is based on the time of the Earth's revolution around the Sun, i.e. 365 or 366 days, which is closely linked to the change of seasons.
The lunar calendar is a clever blend of the two calendars. It retains the characteristics of the lunar calendar with the synodic month as the length of the month, while referencing the length of the solar return year, maintaining the connection with the solar calendar. In this way, the lunar calendar can not only determine the months according to the changes in the phases of the moon, but also be able to harmonize with the changes in the seasons.
In the lunar calendar, a common year has 12 months, while a leap year adds a leap month so that the average calendar year matches the number of days in the return year. This adjustment is usually achieved through the establishment of leap months. The advent of leap months can bring the average length of the lunar calendar closer to the length of the return year, ensuring the accuracy and stability of the calendar.
Another feature of the lunar calendar is the combination with the 24 solar terms. The twenty-four solar terms are divided according to the position of the sun on the ecliptic, reflecting the changing seasons and climate. In the lunar calendar, these solar terms are closely related to the months, and through the arrangement of the solar terms, the lunar calendar can better reflect the changes of the seasons and provide convenience for agricultural production and social life.
The lunar calendar is not simply a lunar or solar calendar, but a lunisolar calendar that combines elements of the lunar and solar calendars. It is based on the synodic month, referring to the length of the solar return year, and by setting leap months and combining the 24 solar terms, etc., the calendar is more accurate and stable, and can better reflect the seasonal changes, which is of great significance to traditional Chinese culture and social life.
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