China Internet Information Center
March 2005
1 2 3 4 5
Beginning of Spring
6 7 8 9 10
1st/2nd mo.
11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20
Vernal Equinox
21 22 23 24
15th/2nd mo.
25 26
27 28 29 30 31
Holidays and Observances:
8: International Women's Day (1/2 day off for women).
17: Blade Shaft Festival, a ceremony held on the 8th day of the 2nd lunar month by southwest China's Lisu ethnic group in honor of their hero, Wang Ji. Each clan gathers together to watch their young men display breathtaking courage and skill in such events as climbing blade ladders and running through fire.
Nawuruz, a festival of the Kazak people in northwest China's Xinjiang region to greet spring, usually held shortly before or after the vernal equinox. Families gather together to enjoy a holiday meal of traditional foods.
Mountain Climbing Festival, a chance for young Miao people in Guizhou Province to meet and greet each other. Young men and women climb mountains, sing and dance to get acquainted.
Notes:
1. In the traditional calendar, the new moon indicates the first day of a lunar month; the full moon marks the 15th day.
2. Dates in red are official holidays. To give workers three week-long holidays during the year, the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding or following the extended holiday are official workdays. In 2005, there are official work weekends in February and October, and one divided between late April and early May.
3. The 24 Seasonal Division Points:
Order & Name of Seasonal Division Point Sun's Position at Ecliptic Gregorian Calendar Date
Spring 1.Beginning of Spring
2.Rain Water
3.Waking of Insects
4.Vernal Equinox
5.Pure Brightness
6.Grain Rain
315°
330°
345°

15°
30°
4 or 5 February
19 or 20 February
5 or 6 March
20 or 21 March
5 or 6 April
20 or 21 April
Summer 7.Beginning of Summer
8.Grain Budding
9.Grain in Ear
10.Summer Solstice
11.Slight Heat
12.Great Heat
45°
60°
75°
90°
105°
120°
5 or 6 May
21 or 22 May
6 or 7 June
21 or 22 June
7 or 8 July
23 or 24 July
Autumn 13.Beginning of Autumn
14.Limit of Heat
15.White Dew
16.Autumnal Equinox
17.Cold Dew
18.Frost's Descent
135°
150°
165°
180°
195°
210°
7 or 8 August
23 or 24 August
7 or 8 September
23 or 24 September
8 or 9 October
23 or 24 October
Winter 19.Beginning of Winter
20.Slight Snow
21.Great Snow
22.Winter Solstice
23.Slight Cold
24.Great Cold
225°
240°
255°
270°
285°
300°
7 or 8 November
23 or 22 November
7 or 8 December
22 or 23 December
5 or 6 January
20 or 21 January
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