The first ray of sunshine in Jinjiang in the "Horse month of the Monkey year", June 5. [Photo/ijjnews.com]

Based on the Chinese lunar calendar, each animal in the zodiac not only represents one year, but also symbolizes a particular month. For example, the rat corresponds to the 11th month in a lunar year and an ox refers to the 12th.

"Horse month of the Monkey year" is such a rare calendar occurrence, arising only once every 12 years that the phrase is commonly used to refer to a date in the unforeseeable future. It also indicates something that cannot be done within a predictable period of time or in which the chance of success is slim.

"Horse month of the Monkey year", or Hou Nian Ma Yue, falls from June 5 to July 3 this year.