This text records the astronomical observation data of a certain place in ancient times at different solar terms. Let's look at it sentence by sentence and explain it in plain language.
First is the Winter Solstice: "Sun's position: 21 degrees and 8 minutes in the Dipper, retreated by 2 degrees; distance from the ecliptic: 115 degrees; noon shadow length: 3 feet; daytime hours: 45; nighttime hours: 55; evening star: 6th star of the Dipper appears faint; morning star: 2nd star of Kang is slightly brighter but is slightly behind its usual position." In simple terms, on the Winter Solstice, the sun is located at 21 degrees and 8 minutes in the Dipper, 115 degrees away from the ecliptic, the noon shadow measures 3 feet, there are 45 daytime hours and 55 nighttime hours. In the evening, the 6th star of the Dipper appears faint, and in the morning, the 2nd star of Kang is slightly brighter but is slightly behind where it usually is.
Next is the day of Minor Cold: "Sun's position: 2 degrees and 7 minutes in the Maiden, advanced by 1 degree; distance from the ecliptic: 113 degrees; noon shadow length: 2 feet and 3 inches; daytime hours: 45.8; nighttime hours: 54.2; evening star: 6th star of Lou appears a bit brighter, though it's slightly behind where it usually is; morning star: 7th star of Di appears faint and is slightly behind its usual position." On the day of Minor Cold, the sun is positioned at 2 degrees and 7 minutes in the Maiden, about 113 degrees away from the ecliptic, the noon shadow measures 2 feet and 3 inches, there are 45.8 daytime hours and 54.2 nighttime hours. In the evening, the 6th star of Lou appears a bit brighter, though it's slightly behind where it usually is, and in the morning, the 7th star of Di appears faint and is slightly behind its usual position.
Then comes the day of Major Cold: "Sun's position: 5 degrees and 14 minutes in the Void, advanced by 2 degrees; distance from the ecliptic: 110 degrees; noon shadow length: 1 foot; daytime hours: 46.8; nighttime hours: 53.8; evening star: 11th star of the Stomach is 1 degree behind; morning star: 1/2 star of the Heart is 3 degrees behind." On the day of Major Cold, the sun is positioned at 5 degrees and 14 minutes in the Void, about 110 degrees away from the ecliptic, the noon shadow measures 1 foot, there are 46.8 daytime hours and 53.8 nighttime hours. In the evening, the 11th star of the Stomach is 1 degree behind, and in the morning, the 1/2 star of the Heart is 3 degrees behind its usual position.
The Beginning of Spring has arrived: "The sun's position is 10 degrees and 21 minutes in the Wei, approximately 106 degrees away from the furthest point along the ecliptic. The shadow length at noon is 9 feet 6 inches, daylight lasts 48.6 units, and nighttime lasts 51.4 units. The star in the evening sky, the Bi, appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual, while the star in the morning sky, the Wei, also appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual."
On the day of the Beginning of Spring, the sun occupies the position of 10 degrees and 21 minutes in the Wei, approximately 106 degrees away from the furthest point along the ecliptic. The shadow length at noon is 9 feet 6 inches, daylight lasts 48.6 units, and nighttime lasts 51.4 units. The star in the evening sky, the Bi, appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual, while the star in the morning sky, the Wei, also appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual.
The Rain Water solar term: "The sun's position is 8 degrees and 28 minutes in the Shi, approximately 111 degrees away from the furthest point along the ecliptic. The shadow length at noon is 7 feet 9.5 inches, daylight lasts 50.8 units, and nighttime lasts 49.2 units. The star in the evening sky, the Shen, appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual, while the star in the morning sky, the Ji, also appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual."
On the Rain Water solar term, the sun occupies the position of 8 degrees and 28 minutes in the Shi, approximately 111 degrees away from the furthest point along the ecliptic. The shadow length at noon is 7 feet 9.5 inches, daylight lasts 50.8 units, and nighttime lasts 49.2 units. The star in the evening sky, the Shen, appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual, while the star in the morning sky, the Ji, also appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual.
The Awakening of Insects solar term: "The sun's position is 8 degrees and 3 minutes in the Bi, approximately 95 degrees away from the furthest point along the ecliptic. The shadow length at noon is 6 feet 5 inches, daylight lasts 53.3 units, and nighttime lasts 46.7 units. The star in the evening sky, the Jing, appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual, while the star in the morning sky, the Dou, also appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual."
On the Awakening of Insects solar term, the sun occupies the position of 8 degrees and 3 minutes in the Bi, approximately 95 degrees away from the furthest point along the ecliptic. The shadow length at noon is 6 feet 5 inches, daylight lasts 53.3 units, and nighttime lasts 46.7 units. The star in the evening sky, the Jing, appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual, while the star in the morning sky, the Dou, also appears dimmer and is positioned slightly further back than usual.
Vernal Equinox: "Sun's position: 14 degrees and 10 minutes in the Kui constellation, about 89 degrees from the ecliptic, the noon shadow measures 5 feet 2.5 inches, daytime 55.8 ancient time units, nighttime 44.2 ancient time units, visible stars in the evening: 4 stars in the Gui constellation can be seen, morning stars: Dou constellation 11 stars are slightly dimmed and positioned slightly further back." On the day of the Vernal Equinox, the sun is positioned at 14 degrees and 10 minutes in the Kui constellation, approximately 89 degrees from the ecliptic, with a noon shadow length of 5 feet 2.5 inches, 55.8 ancient time units during the day, and 44.2 ancient time units at night. In the evening, 4 stars in the Gui constellation can be seen, and in the morning, Dou constellation 11 stars are slightly dimmed and positioned slightly further back.
Qingming Festival: "Sun's position: 1 degree and 17 minutes in the Wei constellation, about 83 degrees from the ecliptic, the noon shadow measures 4 feet 1.5 inches, daytime 58.3 ancient time units, nighttime 41.7 ancient time units, visible stars in the evening: 4 stars in the Xing constellation are advancing 1, morning stars: Dou constellation 21.5 stars are slightly dimmed and positioned slightly further back." On the day of the Qingming Festival, the sun is positioned at 1 degree and 17 minutes in the Wei constellation, approximately 83 degrees from the ecliptic, with a noon shadow length of 4 feet 1.5 inches, 58.3 ancient time units during the day, and 41.7 ancient time units at night. In the evening, 4 stars in the Xing constellation can be seen advancing 1, and in the morning, Dou constellation 21.5 stars are slightly dimmed and positioned slightly further back.
There is no data available for the Grain Rain season, so this concludes the observations. Overall, this passage details the precise measurements of ancient astronomers regarding the position of the sun, shadow lengths at noon, day and night lengths, and specific star positions, showcasing the meticulousness of ancient astronomical observations.
Next is Xiaoman: the sun reaches the position of 6 degrees and 31 minutes in Bi Xiu, then retreats by three degrees. The sun is 73 degrees away from the ecliptic pole, and the deviation is slightly less pronounced. The noon shadow measures 2 feet 5 inches and 2 minutes long, 62 ke and 4 minutes during the day, and 37 ke and 6 minutes at night. In the evening, it is 17 degrees in Yi Xiu, and the position is shifting eastward; the next morning is 10 degrees in Nu Xiu, slightly eastward.
On the day of Mangzhong: the sun reaches 4 degrees and 6 minutes in Shen Xiu, then retreats by four degrees. The sun is 69 degrees away from the ecliptic pole, and the deviation is relatively weaker. The noon shadow measures 1 foot 9 inches and 8 minutes long, 63 ke and 9 minutes during the day, and 36 ke and 1 minute at night. In the evening, it is relatively weak in Jiao Xiu; the next morning is relatively weak in Wei Xiu, and the position shifts eastward by two degrees.
Record of the summer solstice: the sun reaches 25 degrees and 20 minutes in Jing Xiu, then retreats by three degrees. The sun is 67 degrees away from the ecliptic pole, and the deviation is more pronounced. The noon shadow measures 1 foot 5 inches long, 65 ke during the day, and 35 ke at night. In the evening, it is 12 degrees in Di Xiu, relatively weak, and the position shifts westward by two degrees; the next morning is 12 degrees in Shi Xiu, relatively weak, and the position shifts eastward by three degrees.
On the day of Xiaoshu: the sun is positioned at 3 degrees and 27 minutes in Liu Xiu. The sun is 67 degrees away from the ecliptic pole, and the deviation is more pronounced. The noon shadow measures 1 foot 7 inches long, 64 ke and 7 minutes during the day, and 35 ke and 3 minutes at night. In the evening, it is one degree in Wei Xiu, deviating more severely, and the position shifts westward by three degrees; the next morning is two degrees in Kui Xiu, deviating more severely.
Major Heat: The sun has moved to the fourth degree and two minutes in the Xing Constellation, one degree ahead of the previous day. The sun is 70 degrees away from the ecliptic pole. The noon shadow is two feet long, 63 and 8/15 minutes during the day, and 36 quarters and 2 minutes at night. In the evening, it is 15 and a half degrees from the Tail Constellation, with a slight deviation and a position shifted three degrees west; the next morning, it is three degrees from the Lou Constellation, with a position one degree west.
Start of Autumn: The sun is positioned at 12 degrees and 9 minutes in the Zhang Constellation, one degree ahead of the previous day. The sun is 73 and a half degrees away from the ecliptic pole, with a noticeable deviation. The noon shadow measures two feet, five inches, and five minutes, 62 minutes during the day, and 37 quarters and 7 minutes at night. In the evening, it is nine degrees from the Ji Constellation, with a noticeable deviation, and a position that has moved three degrees west; the next morning, it is nine degrees from the Wei Constellation, with a slight deviation and a position one degree west.
End of Heat... (Content not provided, unable to translate)
On the day of White Dew, the sun is positioned at six degrees and twenty-three minutes in the Zhen Constellation, moving one degree forward; the sun is over seventy-eight degrees away from the ecliptic pole; the noon shadow measures four feet, three inches, and five minutes; the day lasts for 62 minutes, and at night, it is 39 minutes and 8 minutes; the evening constellation is Dou Constellation, which appears slightly further back than usual; the early morning constellation is Bi Constellation, also slightly further back than usual.
On the day of Autumn Equinox, the sun is positioned at four degrees and thirty minutes in the Jiao Constellation; the sun is over ninety degrees away from the ecliptic pole; the noon shadow measures five feet and five inches; the day lasts for 55 minutes and 2 minutes, and at night, it is 44 minutes and 8 minutes; the evening constellation is Niu Constellation, slightly further forward than usual; the early morning constellation is Jing Constellation, slightly further back than usual.
On the day of Cold Dew, the sun is positioned at 8 degrees and 5 minutes in the constellation of Kangxiu, slightly further back than usual; the sun is about 96 degrees from the Yellow Pole; the length of the noon shadow is 6 feet, 8 inches, and 5 minutes; the daytime water clock shows 52 minutes, and at night it is 47 minutes; the evening star is the Maiden Star, slightly further forward than usual; the morning constellation observed is the Ghost Star, slightly further forward.
On the day of Frost's Descent, the sun is positioned at 14 degrees and 12 minutes in the constellation of Di, slightly further back than usual; the sun is about 102 degrees from the Yellow Pole; the length of the noon shadow is 8 feet, 4 inches; the daytime water clock shows 53 minutes, and at night it is 49 minutes; the evening star is the Void, slightly further forward than usual; the morning constellation observed is the Star, slightly further forward.
On the day of the Beginning of Winter, the sun is positioned at 4 degrees and 19 minutes in the constellation of Wei, slightly further back than usual; the sun is about 107 degrees from the Yellow Pole; the length of the noon shadow is one zhang (approximately 10 feet); the daytime water clock shows 48 minutes, and at night it is 51 minutes; the evening star is the Danger, slightly further forward than usual; the morning constellation observed is the Zhang, slightly further forward.
On the day of Minor Snow, the sun is positioned at 1 degree and 26 minutes in the constellation of Ji, slightly further back than usual; the sun is about 111 degrees from the Yellow Pole; the length of the noon shadow is one zhang, one foot, and four inches; the daytime water clock shows 46 minutes, and at night it is 53 minutes; the evening star is the Chamber, slightly further forward than usual; the morning star is the Wing, slightly further forward.
On the day of heavy snow, the sun was positioned at six degrees and one minute in the Dou constellation, slightly further back than usual; the sun was 113 degrees away from the yellow pole; the length of the noon shadow was two zhang, five chi, and six fen long; the daytime hourglass showed forty-five minutes, and at night it showed fifty-four minutes; in the evening, the visible constellation was Bi, slightly further forward than usual; in the early morning, the visible constellation was Zhen, slightly further forward than usual.
This article discusses the calculation method of ancient calendars and the history of calendar evolution. Firstly, it explains a specific method of calculating the twenty-four solar terms:
Using the position of the sun as a reference, the sun completes a cycle every four years. Divide the remaining part of the twenty-four solar terms for the year being calculated by four, calculate the size of the remainder; if there is still a remainder, multiply it by three, and calculate the strength of the remainder using the same approach. Designate "strong" for positive numbers and "weak" for negative numbers, and then add or subtract according to the strength of the remainder, subtract like terms and add unlike terms. From the start of the Shangyuan Taishui in the Gengchen year through the third year of Xiping, with the Taishui in the Jiayin year, a total of 9,455 years have been accumulated.
Next, the article then discusses the evolution of ancient Chinese calendars.
The "I Ching" mentions that "Taiji gives rise to the two principles." After the differentiation of Yin and Yang, Fu Xi emerged. In the era of Fu Xi, although there was already a world order, there was no written calendar. Over time, in the era of the Yellow Emperor, a written calendar was established, with Zhong Li in charge of documenting and annotating. The calendar aligned with celestial events and could be traced back to earlier periods, thus establishing a calendar system. Because accurately predicting celestial events was challenging, the calendar has undergone continuous revisions from the time of the Five Emperors to the present, with no unified standard. Therefore, the Yellow Emperor's calendar begins in the year Xin Mao, Zhuan Xu used the year Yi Mao, Yu Shun used the year Wu Wu, the Xia Dynasty used the year Bing Yin, the Shang Dynasty used the year Jia Yin, the Zhou Dynasty used the year Ding Si, and the State of Lu adopted the year Geng Zi. In the early years of the Han Dynasty, the calendar of the Qin Dynasty was used until the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, when it was discovered to be misaligned with celestial events. An astrologer was summoned to create the "Tai Chu Calendar," starting from the year Ding Chou. In Wang Mang's era, Liu Xin established the "Three Tong Calendar," tracing back thirty-one years prior to the "Tai Chu Calendar," identifying the year Geng Xu when the five stars converged as the Yuan. During the reign of Emperor Zhang of Han, discrepancies were noted in the "Tai Chu Calendar." Scholars skilled in calendar science were called upon to revise it, tracing back to the year Geng Chen, forty-five years before the Han era, adjusting the new moon dates to correspond with celestial events, and establishing the "Four Divisions Calendar." Every 650 years is a cycle, with Geng Shen as the Yuan. Some calendars resemble the Weishu but lack the Sheti, so calendar scholars can interpret based on their own understanding. However, the starting year of the calendar rarely matches the Weishu, and if it does, it may not align with celestial phenomena. The success or failure of a calendar hinges on its accuracy, rather than just its starting year.
Finally, the article concludes and praises the work of Cai Yong and Liu Hong:
In the first year of Guanghe, the court official Cai Yong and the assistant official Liu Hong supplemented and expanded the "Treatise on Rhythms and Calendars." Cai Yong was skilled in writing and well-versed in music theory; Liu Hong was skilled in calculations and knowledgeable in astronomy. Upon examining their achievements, it was found that they were well-informed and had some expertise in numerology. Therefore, their works were compiled into two volumes, serving as an addition to the "Former Treatise," enhancing the comprehensiveness of calendar studies.
It is said: Everything comes from the essence, and numbers are fundamental. The laws are established first, and adjustments follow. Balance the core, and observe the alignment of the sun and moon.
Wow, on the winter solstice, I only had a little extra cash on me—not much at all. I added fifteen wen to my previous five hundred and fifteen, bringing my total to two thousand three hundred and fifty-six wen, all from a larger amount, and following the rules.
I need to make good use of this money. This amount feels just right—not too much, not too little. This is money I've worked hard to save, so I need to spend it wisely. I plan to use it for buying New Year goods.
