Elements
The Twenty-Four Solar Terms, knowledge in China of time and practices developed through observation of the sun’s annual motion
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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00000235 Country China ICH Domain Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe Address The Twenty-four Solar Terms originated in the Yellow River reaches of China. The criteria for its formulation were developed through the observation of changes of astronomical time sequence, air temperature, precipitation, as well as other natural phenomena in this centred region. It has been progressively applied as a time directory in the production and life of agricultural society and then shared by many ethnic groups.
| Description | Ancient Chinese divided the circle of the annual motion of the sun into 24 equal segments; each segment was called a “jie qi” or solar term. Hence the 24 segments are collectively called the Twenty-four Solar Terms. This system of time embodies the traditional knowledge and the social practices through which Chinese organize their perception of the regularity of seasons, of astronomical laws and of other local natural phenomena occurring in the course of the year. It is an indispensable component of the traditional Chinese calendrics and its living applications, serving as a time-frame for agricultural activities and daily life. In International circle of meteorology, this cognitive system has been honored as the Fifth Great Invention of China. Transmitted through generations, the element has profoundly influenced Chinese people’s way of thinking and code of conduct. Upon a specific solar term, people spontaneously arrange farming and daily routine as well as basic necessities of life. Thus this knowledge continuum of time is sustained through a variety of ritual practices and folk activities. Thereby the Twenty-four Solar Terms is an important carrier of Chinese cultural identity. |
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| Social and cultural significance | (1) The element is part of the traditional Chinese calendrics. Moreover, the day of Fresh Green has become a national holiday since 2008. (2) Based on the solar terms, farmers arrange spring plowing, summer weeding, autumn harvesting and winter storing. The solar terms have become a time framework for agricultural production. (3) The tradition of measuring the quality of the produce through the solar terms has deep roots among the people. For instance, tea picked before Fresh Green and the one picked before Grain Rain are respectively called “Green tea picked before Fresh Green" and “Green tea picked between Fresh Green and Grain Rain,” both are considered rare tea. (4) Individuals and families provide for basic needs according to changes of solar terms; this is how they also develop life styles that include concern for physical and mental health. The folk proverb “The solar terms wait for no man” is widely known. (5) Communities hold rituals and folk activities, such as worship of ancestors on Fresh Green, the Spring Equinox Fair in Anren County, Winter Worship in Sanmen County, etc., which play a significant role in the enhancement of their cultural identity and cohesion. (6) This heritage exerts an active effect on the people; it plays a role in developing a mentality of respect for nature and harmonious coexistence with it; at the same time, it has a profound influence on the creation of literary and artistic works such as poetry, painting, sculpture, etc. |
| Transmission method | (1) As a traditional system of calendric knowledge which guides the production and life of the Chinese, the Twenty-four Solar Terms has long been integrated in calendars universally adopted by the country and is closely related to people’s daily life. (2) Knowledge about the Twenty-four Solar Terms has been applied in traditional agriculture for generations. In the long-standing course of practice, farmers have planted and cultivated different crops following the continuous perception and grasp of the law of the solar terms in local areas, which still ensures the prosperity of the Chinese people’s lives. (3) In all communities, ritual practices and folk activities related to the element contribute to the intergenerational transmission of this heritage. (4) In villages and families, the Twenty-four Solar Terms is orally handed down through the generations; nursery rhymes, ballads and proverbs associated with it are deeply rooted among the people. (5) General knowledge of the Twenty-four Solar Terms is popularized through school education and the efforts of various organizations and institutions. The Song of the Solar Terms has been introduced in the textbook of primary school and the Table of the Twenty-four Solar Terms has been appended to the standard Xinhua Dictionary. |
| Community | The representative communities come from Neixiang County and Dengfeng City of Henan Province, Hangzhou City, Quzhou City, Suichang County and Sanmen County of Zhejiang Province, Anren County and Huayuan County of Hunan Province, Shiqian County of Guizhou Province and Tiandeng County of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The representative groups are China Agricultural Museum and China Folklore Society. Chinese people, especially the farmers, are the bearers and practitioners of the Twenty-four Solar Terms. As part of the process of maintaining this heritage, many communities and institutions make their unremitting efforts and contributions to its vitality and continuity, such as the Dengfeng Cultural Center and Neixiang County Museum in Henan, Anren County Cultural Center and Huayuan County Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hunan, Gongshu District Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Miaoyuancun Villagers Committee, Suichang County Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Yangjiacun Villagers Committee in Zhejiang, Shiqian County Cultural Center in Guizhou as well as the Tiandeng County Cultural Center in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region amongst others. Through holding regular activities by the time node, formulating, organizing and implementing plans of transmission and programs of situated practices, these communities play a vital role in ensuring the viability and cultural creativity of the element. The professional organizations represented by China Agricultural Museum and China Folklore Society are dedicated to the research on related documents, local knowledge, folk experiences derived from the element, and assume responsibility for their conservation, preservation and promotion. |
| Type of UNESCO List | Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List | 2016 |