The Ancient Chinese Calendar is a lunisolar calendar that combines both lunar and solar cycles. It is based on the phases of the moon, with each month beginning on the new moon. A typical year has 12 months, but to align with the solar year, an extra month is added every few years, creating a leap year. This calendar is significant in Chinese culture as it determines important festivals, such as the Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Each year is also associated with one of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac, which influences cultural beliefs and traditions.