HR
NL
FR
JA
RO
RU
ES
TR
World’s quirkiest calendars unveiled: why it’s 4723 in China, 2018 in an African nation, and just 115 in two Asian states
The good news? Across the entire American continent, all of Europe, the former Soviet regions of Asia, Australia, and much of Africa, it’s 2026, just like here. But why is it 4723 in China, a mere 2018 in Ethiopia, 1447 in North Africa, and only 8 in Japan? We’ve set off on a thrilling chase through the world’s quirkiest calendars.
The World of Maps Facebook page delighted followers with a mind-bending post on 31 December. It revealed what year it’ll be elsewhere when our calendars flip to 1 January.
Time travel to the future: Israel, China, Thailand, and Bhutan
When it comes to ancient roots, Israel’s Hebrew calendar takes the crown: they’re already in 5786. Tradition dates this back to the Bible’s account of Creation: specifically, the sixth day when God made Adam and Eve. Their New Year kicked off last year on 22 September, closing out 5785.
China’s calendar trails just behind, though this eastern superpower is still at a “modest” 4723. It starts with the Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, around 2637 BCE: right about when Egypt’s Giza pyramids were rising from the sands. This year marks the Year of the Snake in China; next up is the Horse. Chinese New Year shifts between 21 January and 20 February, so 4724 begins on 6 February 2027.
- Timeless modernity: Shanghai reveals its Hungarian face in a new Budapest exhibition
Thailand’s at 2569, counting from Buddha’s death in 543 BCE: simply add 543 years to our Gregorian date for their traditional one. Bhutan follows suit with its own Buddhist calendar, currently at 2482.
