Every Khmer year is governed by two cycles: the (12-year) and the element (10-year). 1987 was the year of the Rabbit (Thoh), combined with the Fire element.
Good news for all collectors. The 2026 calendar is identical to the 1987 calendar (same weekday pattern and no leap year).
Unlike the purely solar Gregorian calendar, the Khmer calendar is : months follow the moon’s phases, but intercalary months (added every two or three years) keep it aligned with the solar year. A typical year has 12 lunar months, but a year with an adikamoon (extra month) has 13. 1987 was not an adikamoon year; it was a standard year of 12 months. khmer calendar 1987
Like many cultures in East and Southeast Asia, Cambodia uses a 12-year animal zodiac cycle to identify years. The twelve animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. In Khmer, these are known respectively as Jute, Chlov, Karl, Thos , Rorng, Masagn, Momee, Momay, Voke, Roka, Jor, and Koar. The year 1987 is one of the years of the Rabbit (Thos) .
| Holiday | Date (1987) | Khmer Lunar Date | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | April 14–16 | 1st waning moon of 5th month | | Royal Plowing Ceremony | May 4 (approx.) | 4th waning moon of 6th month | | Pchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day) | Sept 18–Oct 2 | 1st–15th waning moon of 10th month | | Water & Moon Festival | Oct 27–29 | Full moon of 12th month (Bonn Om Touk) | | Independence Day | Nov 9 (fixed Gregorian) | Not lunar-based | Every Khmer year is governed by two cycles:
In traditional Cambodian belief, each animal year carries specific characteristics and fortunes for those born under it. According to these beliefs, people born in the Year of the Rabbit are often seen as quiet, elegant, vigilant, kind, and patient. For the year itself, 1987 is considered a "silent year" for the Rabbit. A prominent Cambodian almanac suggests that such a year brings no major problems or surprises, but also no good results. It is seen as a time for planning and preparation rather than taking serious action.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. The 2026 calendar is identical to the 1987
By 1987, the situation was one of fragile stalemate and tentative diplomacy. The capital, Phnom Penh, which had been forcibly emptied to nearly zero inhabitants in 1975, had seen its population grow from about 50,000 in 1978 to an estimated 700,000. The country was ethnically homogeneous, with over 90% of its roughly 6.25 million people being ethnic Khmer. Life expectancy was low, averaging just 48.5 years, reflecting the immense toll of recent tragedies and ongoing hardship.
Calculated across a 15-day lunar period in the month of Bhadrapad or Assoj , this critical holiday fell around . Families gathered to offer food to monks, transferring merits to deceased relatives to ease their spiritual transitions. 4. Bon Om Touk (The Water Festival)
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