The Chinese Lunar Calendar is a traditional calendar system that is based on the cycles of the moon. It consists of 12 months, each beginning with a new moon, and it typically has 354 or 355 days in a year. To align with the solar year, an extra month is added approximately every three years, creating a leap year. This calendar is significant for determining important cultural events, such as the Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Each year is also associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac, which influences cultural beliefs and practices throughout the year.