The PRC uses the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes, but the Chinese lunar calendar is also important in China. Celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year-known as Spring Festival today in China-is the biggest holiday in China, and many festivals are held according to the Chinese lunar calendar, the longest chronological record in history dating back to 2600 B.C. Like the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly one, but the start of the lunar year is based on the cycles of the moon so that New Year Day can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. Each lunar year is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals, and 2003 is the Year of the Ram. The following are the Chinese Lunar New Year dates 2002 -2014:
Horse February 12, 2002
Ram/Sheep February 1, 2003
Monkey January 22, 2004
Rooster February 9, 2005
Dog January 29, 2006
Boar/Pig February 18, 2007
Rat February 7, 2008
Ox January 26, 2009
Tiger February 14, 2010
Rabbit February 3, 2011
Dragon January 23, 2012
Snake February 10, 2013
Horse January 31, 2014
