The Zodiac Lore gives priority to mainland China reference materials when explaining the Chinese lunar calendar, Spring Festival boundary, zodiac year cycle, and traditional zodiac culture.
This page explains the mainland Chinese sources and reference approach we use when checking lunar-calendar rules, Chinese New Year boundaries, zodiac animals, five-element labels, and cultural explanations.
How we use sources
Chinese zodiac content includes both calendar-based facts and cultural interpretation. We use sources differently depending on the type of information being published.
For date-sensitive information, such as Chinese New Year boundaries and lunar-year ranges, we prefer mainland Chinese standards, calendar rules, astronomical references, and cross-checkable year listings. For cultural explanations, we use mainland cultural and heritage references and describe the content as traditional or symbolic rather than scientific fact.
Our source rule
When a page depends on a date boundary, we try to verify the lunar-year range before using that year in a calculator, chart, or birth-year guide.
When a page explains personality, luck, compatibility, or yearly outlooks, we label those sections as cultural interpretation or entertainment reference.
Mainland China reference sources we consult
These are examples of mainland Chinese sources we may consult or cross-check when preparing Chinese zodiac and lunar-calendar content.
GB/T 33661-2017 · Calculation and Promulgation of the Chinese Calendar
This national standard is the key reference for how the Chinese calendar is calculated and promulgated. We use it as the foundational mainland standard for lunar-calendar rules and terminology.
National Public Service Platform for Standards Information
This platform provides the official standard record for GB/T 33661-2017, including its status, responsible department, and drafting organization.
Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Purple Mountain Observatory provides educational explanations about calendar and almanac questions, including why Spring Festival dates vary within the Gregorian calendar.
Guangming Daily / Guangming Online
Guangming’s report on the national standard explains that the standard clarified calendar arrangement rules, calculation models, and precision requirements for Chinese calendar compilation.
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network
We consult mainland cultural heritage materials for explanations of Spring Festival, Chinese New Year practices, and the relationship between the traditional new year and zodiac symbol changes.
China Culture / Ministry-related cultural portal
China Culture materials help support broad English-language explanations of the Chinese zodiac cycle, zodiac animals, Spring Festival customs, and traditional cultural context.
Types of information and how we source them
Not all parts of a zodiac page require the same kind of evidence. We separate calendar data, cycle labels, and interpretation so readers understand what kind of information they are reading.
| Information type | What we check | Preferred source type |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year boundary | The Gregorian date on which the lunar zodiac year begins. | Mainland Chinese calendar standards, almanac explanations, and cross-checkable Spring Festival date references. |
| Zodiac animal | The animal associated with the lunar year after the correct boundary is applied. | 12-animal cycle references, zodiac year tables, and internally checked year pages. |
| Five-element type | The element attached to the animal-year combination in the 60-year cycle. | 60-cycle year tables, element-animal charts, and internal consistency checks. |
| Compatibility groups | Traditional relationship patterns such as Three Harmonies, Six Harmonies, and Six Conflicts. | Traditional zodiac references and cross-page internal consistency. |
| Personality and luck meanings | Symbolic descriptions, lucky colors, strengths, weaknesses, and cultural associations. | Mainland Chinese cultural references, traditional symbolism, and clearly labeled interpretation. |
How we cross-check calendar data
For pages that depend on exact zodiac-year boundaries, we do not rely only on the Western calendar year. We check whether the birth date falls before or after Chinese New Year for that year.
When preparing year pages, we aim to include the lunar-year start and end date wherever useful. This helps readers born in January or February understand why their zodiac sign may differ from a simple birth-year chart.
If two references disagree, we review the affected year carefully before using it in a calculator, table, or page headline. We may also update related pages if a correction affects multiple parts of the site.
How we treat symbolic and interpretive content
Chinese zodiac personality descriptions, lucky colors, compatibility notes, and yearly outlooks are cultural interpretations. They may vary depending on region, tradition, author, or interpretive school.
We do not present these sections as scientific claims or guaranteed predictions. Instead, we use wording such as “traditionally associated with,” “often described as,” or “commonly considered.”
Our goal is to explain the tradition clearly while giving readers enough context to understand that symbolic content is different from factual calendar data.
Internal consistency across the site
As The Zodiac Lore grows, the same zodiac information may appear in calculators, year pages, compatibility guides, element pages, and homepage cards. We try to keep these repeated facts consistent across the site.
For example, if a page says that 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse beginning on February 17, 2026, then related calculator results, homepage cards, and year charts should match that same boundary and label.
If we update a core date or label, we aim to review related pages so the site does not show conflicting information.
Reader feedback and source suggestions
Readers can contact us if they believe a page contains an incorrect date, zodiac sign, five-element label, broken link, or unclear explanation.
When suggesting a correction, please include the page URL, the specific issue, and any mainland Chinese reference source you believe we should review. This helps us check the issue faster and update the correct page if needed.
You can submit feedback through our contact page.
Sources and references FAQ
Why do you prefer mainland Chinese references?
Because the site explains Chinese zodiac and lunar-calendar traditions to English readers. Mainland Chinese standards and cultural references help keep the calendar rules and cultural explanations closer to the source tradition.
What sources matter most for calculator accuracy?
Chinese New Year boundary dates and lunar-year ranges matter most. If those dates are wrong, January and February birthdays may be assigned to the wrong zodiac year.
Are personality and compatibility meanings sourced the same way as calendar dates?
No. Calendar dates are factual and can be checked directly. Personality and compatibility meanings are traditional interpretations, so we present them as symbolic cultural reference.
Can I suggest a better source?
Yes. You can contact us with the page URL, the suggested mainland Chinese source, and the specific information you think should be reviewed.
Related pages
These pages explain how we calculate, review, and correct information on The Zodiac Lore.