The PRC uses the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes, but the Chinese lunar calendar is also important in China. 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 2004 is the Year of the Monkey.

The following are the Chinese Lunar New Year dates 2004 -2015:

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

Sheep February 19, 2015