Twenty four solar terms of the lunar calendar

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar

Applicant: China Agricultural Museum

Item No.: 516

Project No.: Ⅹ - 68

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: folk customs

Region: Zhongzhi unit

Type: new item

Applicant: China Agricultural Museum

Protected by: China Agricultural Museum

Introduction to the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar:

Applicant: China Agricultural Museum

Twenty four solar terms originated in the Yellow River Basin. As far back as the spring and Autumn period, ancient Chinese sages set four solar terms, namely, mid spring, mid summer, mid autumn and mid winter. Later, they were constantly improved and perfected. By the Qin and Han Dynasties, the twenty-four solar terms had been fully established. In 104 BC, the Taichu calendar formulated by Deng Ping Ping formally defined the 24 solar terms as the calendar, and defined the astronomical position of the 24 solar terms. Twenty four solar terms is the original cultural heritage of the working people in China. It can reflect the changes of seasons, guide agricultural activities, and affect the basic necessities of every household.

The sun from the zero degree of the Yellow longitude, along the Yellow longitude every 15 degrees experienced by the time is called "a solar term.". It runs 360 degrees every year and experiences 24 solar terms, 2 per month. Among them, the first solar term of each month is "solar term", they are: the beginning of spring, Jingzhe, Qingming, the beginning of summer, mangzhong, sunstroke, the beginning of autumn, Bailu, Hanlu, the beginning of winter, heavy snow and light cold 12 solar terms; the second solar term of each month is "Zhongqi", they are: rain, vernal equinox, Guyu, Xiaoman, summer solstice, heatstroke, Chushu, autumnal equinox, frostfall, light snow, winter solstice and cold. "Solar term" and "Zhongqi" appear alternately, each lasting 15 days. Now people have referred to "solar term" and "Zhongqi" as "solar term".

The 24 solar terms reflect the annual apparent motion of the sun, so the date is basically fixed in the current Gregorian calendar. The first half of the year is on the 6th and 21st, and the second half is on the 8th and 23rd, with a difference of 1 to 2 days.

The 24 solar terms are generally accepted by the Chinese people. The influence of 24 solar terms can be seen everywhere in daily life. Some solar terms combined with folk culture have become people's fixed festivals. The most famous Qingming Festival, the beginning of spring, the beginning of summer and the winter solstice are all integrated into the festival atmosphere. The summer solstice and the summer solstice are also closely linked with daily life, so that there are folk sayings of "winter solstice dumplings, summer solstice noodles", "toufu dumplings, Erfu noodles, Sanfu pancake stand eggs", "winter training Sanjiu, summer training Sanfu". These festivals are often accompanied by colorful folk activities. The intangible cultural heritage of 24 solar terms is very rich, including proverbs, ballads, legends, traditional production tools, living utensils, handicrafts, painting and calligraphy, as well as festival culture, production rituals and folk customs closely related to the festival. Twenty four solar terms are the concrete manifestation of ancient Chinese agricultural civilization, which has high research value of agricultural history and culture.