The ancient Chinese divided the sun's annual rotation into 24 segments. Each segment was referred to as a 'Solar Term'. The element of Twenty-Four Solar Terms originated in the Yellow River valley.
The Solar Terms remain of particular importance to farmers in China, as they guide their practices. Their formulation was based on observations of season changes and astronomy. Starting at the beginning of spring and ending with the greater cold, it is used as a timing device to direct daily activities.
Chinese ancestors established four major solar terms as early as the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC - 1046 BC). In the Zhou Dynasty (1046 - 256 BC), eight solar terms recognized the four seasons: the start of spring, the equinox, the summer solstice, the autumn equinox, the winter solstice, and the winter solstice. By the time of the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), the present 24 solar terms were completely standardized.
Traditionally, Solar Terms are divided by the sun's annual motion around the ecliptic plane (the orbit around the Sun). This is a part of the Chinese zodiacal calendar. As well as the longest and shortest days of the year, the calendar takes into account the two days of the year when the night and day are the same lengths.
Since its incorporation into the Gregorian calendar, it has been used by many communities throughout China. Certain rituals and festivities are closely associated with the Solar Terms such as the Zhuang People's First Frost Festival and Jiuhua's Ritual at the Beginning of Spring.
These different functions of the elements have enhanced their viability as intangible cultural heritage and sustain the contributions of the elements to cultural identity. Knowledge of the elements is passed through formal and informal educational systems.
The system is now being applied nationwide. Chinese solar terms were spread to Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, East Asian countries. Though each term was named according to the seasonal climate changes of North China Plain, people living in other climates still use it without changing it.
China is a great example of wisdom in dividing the seasons which influence commerce and trade, as well as the livelihoods of the people. These livelihoods contribute to essential human needs (housing, food, clothing, transportation) and play a big part in everyday life.
It is traditional Chinese lunisolar calendars that include twenty-four solar terms that represent astronomical events or natural phenomena.
The Solar Terms remain of particular importance to farmers in China, as they guide their practices.
As shown by the fact that the traditional Chinese character for most solar terms is the same. Chinese ancestors established four major solar terms as early as the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC - 1046 BC). In the Zhou Dynasty (1046 - 256 BC), eight solar terms recognized the four seasons: the start of spring, the equinox, the summer solstice, the autumn equinox, the winter solstice, and the winter solstice. By the time of the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 AD), the present 24 solar terms were completely standardized.
Solar Term was the designation given to the 24 segments that make up the annual circular motion of the sun in ancient China. Those terms have their roots in the Yellow River reaches of China. Their formulation was based on observations of season changes, astronomy, and other natural phenomena in this region.
It starts at the beginning of spring and ends with the greater cold, following a cycle. It has been used as a timing device to direct daily activities.
Since its incorporation into the Gregorian calendar, it has been used by many communities throughout China. Certain rituals and festivities are closely associated with the Solar Terms such as the Zhuang People's First Frost Festival and Jiuhua's Ritual at the Beginning of Spring.
These different functions of the elements have enhanced their viability as intangible cultural heritage and sustain the contributions of the elements to cultural identity. Knowledge of the elements is passed through formal and informal educational systems.
Traditionally, Solar Terms are divided by the sun's annual motion around the ecliptic plane (the orbit around the Sun). This is a part of the Chinese zodiacal calendar. As well to the longest and shortest days of the year, the calendar takes into account the two days of the year when the night and day are the same lengths.
The system is now being applied nationwide. Chinese solar terms were spread to Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, East Asian countries. Though each term was named according to the seasonal climate changes of North China Plain, people living in other climates still use it without changing it.
China is a great example of wisdom in dividing the seasons which influence commerce and trade, as well as the livelihoods of the people. These livelihoods contribute to essential human needs (housing, food, clothing, transportation) and play a big part in everyday life.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-twenty-four-solar-terms-knowledge-in-china-of-time-and-practices-developed-through-observation-of-the-suns-annual-motion-00647) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_term)
|Subject=Art, Belief, Ritual, Verbal Arts and Literature
|Country=China
|SDG=(09) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (13) Climate Action, (16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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