Fusion Calendar: Almanac and Solar Terms
Zhaolei Li
Time doesn’t just pass. It transforms, circles, and returns.
This project reimagines the traditional Chinese huangli, or almanac—a culturally and historically significant design artifact—through a contemporary lens. Deeply rooted in Chinese cosmology, the almanac blends fortune-telling, astrological insight, and cyclical time philosophy, offering a holistic view of how time, fate, and nature interconnect.
At the heart of this project are the 24 Solar Terms, which reflect not only seasonal transitions but also celebrate cultural rituals and agricultural life. These markers of time are still honored today, embodying the Chinese people's sensitivity to nature’s rhythm and their reverence for tradition.
By aligning the Solar Terms with both the Gregorian calendar and the Chinese lunar calendar, the design creates a dual-system timekeeping experience that bridges linear and cyclical perceptions of time. Each month combines symbolic meanings, fortune-based readings, and seasonal imagery, transforming the calendar into more than just a functional object—it becomes a visual and cultural narrative that explores how we live within, measure, and celebrate time.