The Curious Case of Chinas Ancient Calendars How t
The earliest recorded Chinese calendar dates back to the Shang Dynasty (16th-11th centuries BCE), where divination and astrology played a crucial role in timekeeping. This was based on observations of celestial bodies, specifically the movements of stars and planets.
Over time, as astronomy evolved, so did calendars. During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), astronomers like Gan De and Shi Shen made significant contributions to astronomical records and observations, laying the groundwork for more sophisticated calendars.
One of these innovations was the introduction of leap months or intercalary months to keep track with solar years accurately. The concept was simple yet effective – by adding an extra month every few years when necessary, it ensured that festivals fell on their intended days despite changes in seasons.
Another fascinating aspect is how ancient Chinese civilization integrated philosophy into their calendars through concepts like Yin-Yang theory and Wu Xing (Five Elements). Each element had its own set of associations with colors, directions, seasons, animals etc., which were used to determine auspicious times for important events such as weddings or harvests.
As China continued to develop over millennia its calendar system also evolved further with various dynasties contributing their own unique elements such as lunar-solar hybrid systems during Tang dynasty (618-907 CE) or even mechanical clocks introduced during Song dynasty(960-1279 CE).
