For the 3,000 years leading up to 1912, Chinese life was ordered solely according to the lunar calendar.

In ancient times, agriculture was the economic mainstay of China and its people, and the purpose of establishing a calendar was to regulate agricultural production. Chinese ancients discovered, through astronomical observation, that during the earth's 12-month orbit around the sun, its changing position gave rise to periodical changes in climate and thus distinctive farming seasons. They subsequently designated 24 positions within the earth's orbit, calling them the 24 Jieqi (24 solar terms). Each Jieqi was given a name that signified the related meteorological and phenological changes on the earth. For example, Lichun means "the beginning of spring," Jingzhe means "the awakening of insects," and Guyu means "the time to sow wheat." Each of the 12 lunar months encompassed two Jieqi, which were regarded by both the imperial court and farmers as the chronological yardstick through which to plan agricultural production.

Clay figures sold at a temple fair.

Some traditional Chinese folk customs and festivals also relate to the 24 Jieqi, such as Spring Festival. It was first decided during the Han Dynasty (206 BC- AD 220) that Lichun should be the time to celebrate Spring Festival. Later, after several rounds of reform, it was finally agreed that the first day of the first lunar month, which generally occurs around Lichun, should be Spring Festival.

In ancient China, Spring Festival and New Year's Day referred to the same day -- the first day of the first lunar month. After the 1911 Revolution, however, China formally adopted the Gregorian calendar and made January 1 New Year's Day, as distinct from the traditional lunar calendar Spring Festival, but Chinese people have always regarded Spring Festival as more significant, and as being the true beginning to a new year.