Calendars and the boundaries of Lunar New Year and Start of Spring

The traditional Chinese calendar used today is lunisolar: months relate to lunar phases, while rules such as intercalation coordinate the year with the seasons. Calling it a purely lunar calendar is therefore imprecise. Gregorian dates, Chinese calendar dates and stem-branch years are related but distinct expressions.

Stems and branches pair in order and repeat after 60 combinations, forming the sexagenary cycle. Everyday zodiac years are often understood to change at Lunar New Year. In Four Pillars and related practices, the year pillar commonly changes at Start of Spring (Lichun), and month pillars commonly use solar-term boundaries. Schools can differ, so one rule is not universal.

For births near Lunar New Year, Lichun, midnight or an intercalary month, first establish the calendar, intercalary-month status, birth-place time zone and rules in use. Then check a reliable calendar instead of concluding from a year label alone.

Introductory cultural reference, not personal fortune-telling, medical or investment advice. Symbolism expresses a wish, not a guaranteed effect.