China is believed to have developed its first calendar over 4,000 years ago. According to a single page of oracle bone calendar discovered among the inscriptions, the calendar system used during the Shang Dynasty had already reached a remarkably advanced 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 receiving its own dedicated book. Each page was neatly labeled with the month and date, leaving ample blank space for close imperial attendants, often eunuchs, to record the emperor’s words and actions. This essential tool 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 adopted this innovative system themselves.

Early Development

According to historical records, as early as the first year of Yongzheng during Emperor Shunzong's reign in the Tang Dynasty—about 1,100 years ago—the imperial palace was already using calendars. Back then, these calendars were also known as "imperial calendars," serving not only to track dates but also providing crucial material for compiling national history. The calendar format at that time resembled a modern-day planner: the 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 meticulously written on every page. Afterward, the calendars were entrusted temporarily to eunuchs who served the emperor, who would record the emperor’s daily activities and remarks on the blank pages provided. At the end of each month, these entries were presented to the emperor for review and approval before being submitted to the official historians for archival purposes. Finally, the historians would integrate the calendar entries with significant events occurring across the court and various regions of the country, refining and polishing the content before officially documenting it as part of the nation’s official history.

In time, as calendars brought considerable convenience to daily life, they gradually made their way into the homes of many high-ranking officials in the court. After undergoing some adjustments, these families began creating their own personalized calendars. Later, as calendars became increasingly popular and tailored to 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—along with ample blank spaces reserved 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 calendar designs have ranged from their earliest, minimalist styles to a wide array of innovative variations—thanks in part to the surge in market economies and the widespread adoption and growth of the internet over recent years, which have fostered greater cultural exchange. Naturally, desk calendars have also benefited from this trend, with the most common evolution being a shift toward smaller, more refined designs.