The year spanning from February 18, 1958, to February 7, 1959, marked the year of the Earth Dog according to the traditional lunisolar calendar observed in China. This system, distinct from the Gregorian calendar, determines dates and months based on both the moon’s cycles and the sun’s position, resulting in varying start and end dates compared to the Western calendar.
This specific period holds significance in Chinese culture and history. It coincided with the second year of the Second Five-Year Plan, a period of significant societal transformation in China. The Great Leap Forward, a campaign aimed at rapidly industrializing and collectivizing agriculture, was in full swing. Understanding this time period through the lens of the traditional calendar provides valuable context for analyzing social and cultural developments of the era. The agricultural cycle, heavily influenced by the lunar calendar, played a crucial role in the successes and challenges faced during this period.
