The religious calendar is a schedule of holy days observed by a faith community that marks the passage of time and commemorates significant events in their history. These calendars often dictate when members of the community are expected to fast, pray, and perform various rituals. Many religions also have prescribed times for marriage ceremonies and procreation. In some cases, these periods may be determined based on astrological alignments or other factors, but they generally follow a cycle of approximately three months. During these cycles, couples are encouraged to engage in sexual activity to ensure conception within this window. This can take place either during ovulation or outside it, depending on the religion's beliefs about fertility.
Some Islamic scholars believe that intercourse should occur after menstruation has ended but before ovulation begins, while others recommend waiting until after ovulation has passed. The length of the cycle varies between different religions, from one week to several weeks, depending on how long each phase lasts. Some cultures emphasize abstinence during certain times of the year, such as Ramadan or Lent, while others encourage couples to try to conceive during particular seasons.
Many Hindu communities observe a month-long period of abstinence leading up to Diwali, which falls around October or November each year. During this time, married couples refrain from sex, but unmarried individuals may still engage in romantic relationships without physical intimacy. At the end of the month, there is an elaborate ceremony called Karva Chauth, where women fast from sunrise to moonrise and their husbands offer them sweets and gifts in exchange for being released from the vow. Afterwards, couples may resume normal relations if they wish. In Judaism, married couples may only have intercourse on specific days of the month, such as Shabbat (the Sabbath) or Rosh Chodesh (the start of a new lunar month). There are also special occasions like Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av when sexual activity is prohibited altogether. Some Orthodox Jews even forbid touching between spouses outside of childbearing years.
Christianity has several cycles related to marriage and procreation.
Catholicism has a tradition of allowing couples to marry after completing two years of preparation courses and receiving permission from a priest. This allows time for courtship and ensures that both parties are ready for commitment before consummating their union. Once married, Catholics must practice periodic abstinence unless trying to conceive, which can last anywhere from three days to one week depending on how close ovulation is expected. The Church teaches that pregnancy should be viewed as a blessing and that contraception is sinful except in extreme circumstances. Protestant denominations generally do not require this level of planning but encourage couples to approach sex with purpose and respect. Many Evangelicals believe that intimacy should occur within the context of marriage and that it is wrong to engage in premarital or extramarital relationships.
Buddhist monks often follow a strict code of celibacy, refraining from any physical contact including hugging or holding hands.
Laypeople may engage in sexual activity if they choose. In Japan, there is a long-standing tradition of keeping separate bedrooms for men and women, known as "shikibuton." This custom was originally created to prevent incestuous relationships within families but became associated with chastity and purity over time. Today, shikibuton is more commonly used by young couples who want privacy during their honeymoon period.
In some cultures, such as Polynesia and Hawaii, traditional calendars dictate when sexual activities are appropriate based on the phases of the moon. These cycles are determined by the lunar calendar and vary from month to month.
In Samoa, the first day after a new moon marks the start of a "pure" phase where intercourse is forbidden. On the full moon (or sometimes two nights before), all taboos are lifted, allowing for unrestricted intimacy. Similarly, in Tonga, sex is only permitted during certain days of the week depending on which cycle is observed. Other cultures have different rules regarding fertility and conception.
Some African communities require couples to abstain from sex until the wife has given birth, believing that this will protect her from miscarriage or infertility. Others believe that specific animals should be consummated before marriage or that the husband must prove his virility by copulating with many women before settling down.
Religious calendars play an important role in regulating sexual behavior among devotees. They provide structure and guidance while encouraging couples to approach intimacy responsibly and intentionally. By establishing clear expectations around procreation and abstinence, these calendars help ensure healthy relationships within faith communities.