The East Asian Lunar Calendar is a traditional calendar system used in several East Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. It is based on the cycles of the moon, with each month beginning on the new moon. This calendar typically has 12 months, but a 13th month is added every few years to align it with the solar year. The calendar is significant for cultural and religious events, such as the Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac, which influences cultural beliefs and practices throughout the region.