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→Characteristics of the Chinese calendar
*Months are either 29 (''Shô no tsuki'' 小の月) or 30 days (''Dai no tsuki'' 大の月) long. This means that the date 2/30 is possible, whereas 3/31 is not. Unlike some other calendars, it is '''not''' the case that a particular month is normally a particular length. There is no way of knowing whether a month is 29 or 30 days long except by looking at the calendar for a particular year. Normally, but frequently not, 29-day and 30-day months alternate.
*Months are either 29 (''Shô no tsuki'' 小の月) or 30 days (''Dai no tsuki'' 大の月) long. This means that the date 2/30 is possible, whereas 3/31 is not. Unlike some other calendars, it is '''not''' the case that a particular month is normally a particular length. There is no way of knowing whether a month is 29 or 30 days long except by looking at the calendar for a particular year. Normally, but frequently not, 29-day and 30-day months alternate.
*The calendar also takes into account the solar year. The solar year is divided into twelve periods by twelve solar points (中気 chûki) : the winter solstice, the spring equinox, the sumer solstice, the autumn solstice, and two points between each. <ref> The year is also divided into 24 "solar terms" (節気 ''sekki'') such as the "Great Cold." These are the 12 chûki plus the 12 points that are half-way between chûki. </ref> The months are numbered according to the solar point that occurs during that month. For example, the month in which the winter solstice occurs is the 11th month, and the one in which the spring equinox occurs is the 2nd month.
*The calendar also takes into account the solar year. The solar year is divided into twelve periods by twelve solar points (中気 chûki) : the winter solstice, the spring equinox, the sumer solstice, the autumn solstice, and two points between each. <ref> The year is also divided into 24 "solar terms" (節気 ''sekki'') such as the "Great Cold." These are the 12 chûki plus the 12 points that are half-way between chûki. </ref> The months are numbered according to the solar point that occurs during that month. For example, the month in which the winter solstice occurs is the 11th month, and the one in which the spring equinox occurs is the 2nd month.