The Origin of the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar

Key Facts

The Chinese lunisolar calendar was developed in ancient China.
Its structure was formalized during the Han dynasty (Taichu reform, 104 BCE).
The New Year associated with this calendar originated in Chinese state ritual.

Early Evidence: Shang and Zhou Dynasties

Oracle bone inscriptions from the Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE) record cyclical day notation and lunar phase tracking.

During the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BCE), calendrical regulation became a state function aligned with ritual authority.

The Han Dynasty and the Taichu Calendar (太初历)

In 104 BCE, Emperor Wu of Han introduced the Taichu calendar reform, which:

Standardized intercalary month insertion
Anchored calculations to the winter solstice
Integrated the sexagenary cycle (干支)
Improved solar correction accuracy

This structure forms the foundation of the traditional Chinese calendar.

The 24 Solar Terms (二十四节气)

The calendar divides the solar year into 24 solar terms tied to Earth’s position relative to the sun. This confirms the system is lunisolar, not purely lunar.

For astronomical mechanics, see Is the Chinese Calendar Truly Lunar?.

Conclusion

The Chinese lunisolar calendar originated in ancient China and provided the framework for determining the New Year. Later regional adaptations were built upon this established system.