Before describing the principal annual customs and festivals observed at this place and vicinity, a few preliminary observations will be made relating to the yearly periods, which among the Chinese are regarded of very great importance. The customs noticed are performed at the same time every year on the recurrence of the period or term used to denote certain epochs in the season, or on fixed days of the month.
The Chinese year contains thirteen or twelve months, according as it has or has not an intercalary month. Consequently the great annual periods, as the winter solstice or vernal equinox, do not fall in successive years on the same day of the same month. Generally, in five successive years there are two intercalary months , or, more exactly, in nineteen successive years there are seven intercalary months. There are no intercalary days. The months are spoken of as the first month, the second month, etc., no distinct name for each month being in common use. The month which is intercalary is known as such in common conversation and in legal documents. For example : if the sixth month is intercalaried, there are two six months in that year, viz., the sixth month, and the intercalary sixth month.