The Chinese calendar is the oldest calendar and was created in 2600 BC.
The calendar goes in 12 year cycles that are named after animals in the
Chinese Zodiac. The story is Lord Budha summoned all the animals, and
only 12 came. In honor, he named the years after the 12 animals. The order is
based on the order of when the animals arrived. Rat came first by hopping on the back
of the Ox who ferried him across the river, and then jumping off ahead
of him.
The Chinese New Year is based on the Lunar Year, so it starts on the
first day of the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice (another
Chinese Holiday). The lunar cycle is 354 days in 12 months and the regular year is 365 days. So about every 3 years, they have a leap month.
Because
the Chinese calendar is based on the Lunar New Year, people born in
January usually have their Chinese Zodiac sign of the previous year. For example a person born on January 25, 2009 would still be born in
the Year of the Rat.
Couples will often plan what year they want to have their child, because the Animal of the Year reflects the personality of the child born that year.
