China is believed to have developed its first calendar over 4,000 years ago. According to a page from an oracle bone calendar inscribed on oracle bones, the calendar system during the Shang Dynasty had already reached a remarkably sophisticated level. This particular oracle bone calendar is the oldest surviving physical example of a calendar in the entire history of humankind—and as such, it’s often referred to simply as "the calendar."

Tang poetry reads: "In the mountains, there’s no calendar; as winter ends, one loses track of the years." The "calendar" mentioned here may well be the earliest form of a desk calendar. During the Tang dynasty, historians would meticulously cut paper daily and bind it into volumes—each month housed in its own book. Each page was neatly labeled with the month and date, leaving blank spaces for close imperial attendants, often eunuchs, to record the emperor’s words and actions. This document was known as the "calendar," and at the end of each month, it was first presented to the emperor for review before being archived by the historians—for future use in compiling the official "National History." Due to its practical function of documenting time and events, both civil and military officials eagerly sought to emulate this innovative system.

Early development

According to historical records, as early as the first year of Yongzheng during the reign of Emperor Shunzong of the Tang Dynasty—about 1,100 years ago—the imperial palace was already using calendars. Back then, these calendars were also known as "Huangli," or the Imperial Calendar. Not only did they meticulously track dates, but they also served as crucial materials for compiling national history. The calendar format at that time resembled a modern-day planner: the entire year was divided into 12 volumes, with each volume’s page count determined by the number of days in the corresponding month. Dates and months were neatly written on each page before being entrusted temporarily to eunuchs who attended to the emperor. These eunuchs would record the emperor’s daily actions and words on the blank pages provided, and at the end of each month, they’d present the completed entries to the emperor for review and approval. Only after receiving the emperor’s endorsement would the eunuchs deliver the calendar to official historians, who would then integrate its contents with significant events occurring across the court and various regions of the country. After careful refinement and editing, these records would ultimately form the official national history.

In time, as calendars brought numerous conveniences to daily life, they gradually made their way into the homes of many high-ranking officials in the court. After some adjustments, these families began creating their own personalized calendars. Later, as calendars became increasingly popular and tailored for everyday use, people started incorporating essential elements like the traditional Chinese zodiac-based monthly divisions, seasonal markers, and auspicious days aligned with the lunar calendar—alongside ample blank spaces left over for personal notes and reminders.

As for how the lunar calendar later evolved into various forms such as wall calendars and desk calendars, that development has occurred only within the past century. Desk calendars have transformed from their original simple designs into a wide array of innovative styles—thanks in recent years to the growth of the market economy and the widespread adoption and expansion of the internet, which have fostered greater cultural exchange. Naturally, desk calendars have also benefited from this trend, with the most common evolution being their shift toward smaller, more refined designs.