Calendar

In the world of SZY, a year is generally considered to have 325 days, with 326 days in a leap year. How these days are divided differs per country. As we know it, every fourth year is a leap year, the most recent one having been just the year before current.

The Zhangwen calendar has 13 months of 25 days, with 5 weeks of 5 days a month. On leap years, the remaining day is celebrated at the end of the year, a time of festivities gifted to them by the Ancients. This day is called the Red Day and is filled with excessive drinking, merrymaking and fire dances. Children born on the Red Day are considered extraordinarily blessed. The year ends on the winter solstice.

The count of years resets at the start of the reign of a new ruling figure. In the capital, Chengzhou, the history of ruling figures is documented on a wall that circles the city center.

The months are named as follows:


 * 1) Fèng         Phoenix       ❄️
 * 2) Láng        Wolf             ❄️
 * 3) Zhǔ          Stag             🌸
 * 4) Táng        Mantis         🌸
 * 5) Lái           Mare            🌸
 * 6) Dī             Ram            ☀️
 * 7) Qiú          Dragon        ☀️
 * 8) Shī           Lion            ☀️
 * 9) Hú           Fox              🍂
 * 10) Chán       Cicada         🍂
 * 11) Shé          Serpent        🍂
 * 12) Gē           Dove            ❄️
 * 13) Guǐ         Wraith          ❄️

Each month has a corresponding constellation.

Past Ruling Figures
History is recorded with the name of rulers throughout time. From kings and queens to emperors and empresses. The duration of their reign is 50 years, unless they die before it’s over.

The following list documents the known periods, from current to first.

Yijun 1 - 34 (present)

Guiying 1 - 50

Hanying 1 - 43

Zhihao 1 - 50

Shufen 1 - 50

More pending i got soup for brains

If the day is the 23rd of Feng during Yijun’s 17th year of ruling, the date would be written as

17-Yijun, Feng, 23        [Year, month, day]

For the sake of being able to type it with our little arabic numerals and roman letters.

Years before the start of this documentation system are written as

-245 Ancient         (or any number really) (you get it)

Zodiac
As there are 13 months, there are 13 corresponding constellations. Astrologers speculate that one’s date of birth determines parts of their personality, decisions and how they experience the world. These signs don’t particularly line up with what we are used to in the real world, but it does share the sun/moon/rising system.

This section will list the 13 zodiac signs as well as provide a short description of the associated traits. Keep in mind that, just like with real life zodiac, characters with these signs don’t need to perfectly fit the mold. Your character can even be the complete opposite of their sign’s stereotype. How much you choose to do with the astrology of this world is up to you.

Phoenix
Born in the month of rebirth, people with the sign of Phoenix are insightful and flexible, adapting easily to change and often being the first to suggest alternate solutions to a problem. They are innovative and creative, always looking outside the box and gravitating to the unconventional. But likewise, they tire of routine and are prone to making impulsive decisions. Of all the signs, Phoenixes are the most likely to crave life changing decisions, from suddenly drastically changing their hair to moving to a different continent.

Wolf
People with the sign of Wolf are often considered by others to be mature and aloof. They prefer logic over feeling, and think emotions don’t belong in important decision making. But they are caring as well, naturally becoming the protectors of their friends and loved ones. Their tempers can be explosive if someone they care about is being targeted. Wolves tend to butt heads with outwardly dominant people, believing that leadership should be earned rather than taken.

Stag
Like the first month of spring, Stags are refreshing in their mystique and airy quality. Their advice is often esoteric in nature because of how they view the world. While others often assume that Stags always know what they’re doing and have answers to most questions, it’s the truth that they are just confident in following their intuition. These people are most likely to believe in mysticism and spirituality.

Mantis
Where people with the sign of Mantis often lack in their ability to empathize, they make up for it in determination and work ethic. They set high goals for themselves and go through great lengths to achieve them. Mantises believe there are always ways to get what they want. To them, life is a game and they’re winning it. Though, if a Mantis is not invested in something, they quickly lose interest and motivation to go through with it. Mantises are considered to be the most fickle, yet intense of the signs.

Mare
Mares are the most parental of the signs. Caring and warm as they are, people naturally flock to them. But, their empathic nature is easily taken advantage of. This sign has a low tolerance for drama and immaturity, valuing honest communication above all. When overwhelmed, Mares can make the mistake of victimizing themselves, putting emphasis on just how much they do for people, despite never saying no.

Ram
As expected, Rams are very stubborn people. Unlike Phoenixes, people of this sign find comfort in familiar solutions and will push their own ways through a problem until it breaks. Rams often have an intimidating air about them and are quick to have temper flares. To them, it’s act first, think later. Much like Mantises, Rams won’t stop until they get what they want. This sign has a tendency to do things out of spite, achieving great things just to prove someone wrong.

Dragon
People with the sign of Dragon are often natural born leaders. They are opinionated and possess the resources to always justify their reasoning. They are persuasive but honest, making them the most personable of the signs. This sign has a tendency to hoard, as the name suggests, in more things than just the material. They can hoard acquaintances, opportunities, knowledge and information, as well as skills, making them a jack of many trades.

Lion
The people of this sign are prideful and value honor and respect above all. They are outspoken when they think something is unjust, believing that all people should be treated fairly. They prioritize hard and honest work and have a tendency to devote themselves to someone/something to the point of self sacrifice. They are good leaders, but not as resourceful or personable as Dragons. They don’t beat around the bush and have no patience for frivolities.

Fox
As the name suggests, people with the sign of Fox are cunning and playful. They’re highly emotionally intelligent and enjoy figuring out someone’s inner workings. They know what strings to pull to make things go according to their plan. Great actors as they are, they’re easily able to wrap anyone around their finger. But, Foxes aren’t inherently malicious. These people are great at debates, with or without utilizing their skill in manipulation. Despite this, Foxes prefer to just live comfortably within their own circles. They tend to be lazy and don’t have much interest in the outside world.

Cicada
Cicadas are the most stigmatized of the signs. It is believed that they are mean-spirited, unfiltered and lack empathy. However, they merely stand up for what they believe in and don’t sugarcoat their words. This sign sees right through acts and facades and they have little patience for those who think they can be fooled. Out of everything, Cicadas loathe to be underestimated. They value promises and tradition, up until the point where they decide it’s unnecessary and a waste of time. They prefer to attach their own importance to things after properly having judged them.

Serpent
Those with the sign of Serpent are known to be career-oriented. They are perceptive, quick at finding loopholes and easy solutions. They are a solitary sign, not particularly concerned with the emotions and psychology of others. This often puts them in the position of outcast. Serpents are perfectly content finding their own fulfillment in life and accept the company of anyone who likes them despite their standoffish nature. To them, it doesn’t matter if people come and go. It takes a while for them to get attached.

Dove
Often considered the luckiest of the signs. Doves are carefree and have an insatiable curiosity for the world. Anything they want, simply comes to them. Those of this sign tend to be naive and idealistic, living with their heads up in the clouds. They are emotional people, making important life decisions based on what they feel, not on what they think. To them, the glass is always half full.

Wraith
Born in the final month of the year, people with the sign of Wraith are as cold as the year’s chilly end. Wraiths are considered to be unlucky, as these signs have a penchant for pessimism and generally regard the world with a cynical eye. They are gloomy and tend to expect failure rather than put all of their energy into getting what they want. These people have a difficult time forming close bonds. Fear of abandonment is a recurring theme amongst Wraiths.