What kind of tools did they use? An abacus?

Fortunately with today's modern tool - the computer - we can set up the calendar easily.

I am going to show you how you can set up the zodiac calendar in Microsoft Outlook. It's quite simple.

1. Open Microsoft Outlook in your computer. I am using an old version (2003). But I guess it is more or less the same on the newer version.

2. Go to Tools and then select Options...

3. You will see a new window.

In the window above, in the Preferences tab, click on Calendar Options...

4. Next, the Calendar Options window will pop up. Check the box for Enable alternate calendar:.

And select Chinese (Traditional) or Chinese (Simplified) next to it.

Then select Zodiac in the second drop down box. That's it you are done. Click OK on the 2 opened windows.

You can also follow the same steps above but select Lunar instead of Zodiac.

What can you use the calendar for?

I use the zodiac calendar to help me select the best date to perform an important task. For example, choosing the best date to register the domain name for this website.

And the lunar calendar helps me to track when the full moon is. Or some major Chinese festivals such as the first day of a Chinese Lunar New Year.

Learn more:

Chinese New Year - Find out the Chinese new year dates according to lunar and solar calendars for year 2011 to 2020. And get to know which zodiac animal rules the year.