24 Weather Markers

1. 24 Weather Markers Presented for www.readchina8.com Beijing Budding Flower International Cultural Promotions Co., Ltd.

2. 24 Weather Markers • They are as important as the Four Great Inventions in China. They are an intangible asset. More attention should be paid to them. They provide weather patterns in China and how man should react to them.

3. The 24 weather markers were originated in the Yellow River ranges as far back as the Spring and Autumn period, when the second spring month, the second summer month, the second autumn month and the second winter month were named. The 24 weather markers were formally established during the Qin and Han periods. In 104 BCE, the “Grand Inception Calendar” (Tàichū--太初) compiled by Deng Ping and others included the 24 markers into the calendar and their astronomical positions were clearly determined. The Origin

4. It was so determined that each fifteen degree the sun moves along the celestial longitude is a solar term that constitutes a weather marker. The sun goes 360 degrees each year and goes through 24 markers, and in each month there are two markers. Solar Terms

5. The 24 weather markers reflect the movement of the sun, their dates are more or less fixed in the calendar; generally speaking they are on the 6th or the 21st dates in the first half of the year, and the 8th and 23rd dates in the second half of the year. The discrepancy is one or two days, either earlier or later The Days They Fall On

6. The Start of Spring, or立春 lìchūn, would normally be on February 4 or 5 when the ecliptic longitude is at 315 degrees. The Start of Spring

7. In ancient agriculture, the start of spring was an important date, from which snow began to thaw, the direction of the wind would change from the north to the east. Grass, trees, insects and the whole of the earth is coming back to life gradually. The Start of Spring

8. The emperors in the old times, on this day, would refrain from eating meat and take a shower, and then hold a sacrifice ceremony, accompanied by civil and military officers, for purpose of welcoming the spring and encourage farmers to do a good job in the fields. They would pray for a nice day, which, they believed, would herald a normal year with a bumper harvest. The Start of Spring

9. Spring Pancake, to bite spring Spring Rolls The Start of Spring

10. In this year of the Tiger, there is no “the Start of Spring.” The last one was on Feb. 4, 2010, which was still the year of the Ox, and the next one will be on Feb. 4, 2011, which will be the year of Rabbit. As the revolving of terms are not changed, so it would have an effect on the fate of people. The Start of Spring

11. Rain Water--雨水yǔshuǐ This solar term is normally on February 19 when the ecliptic longitude is at 330 degrees. Rain Water

12. During this term, the weather becomes warmer, precipitation increases in the form of rain, much less of snow. Rain Water

13. The temperature comes back to 0℃ and above in most regions of China after “Rain Water”. It would be around 3℃ in the Yellow River and Huaihe River plains, it would be around 5℃ south of the Yangtse River and in southern China it would be 10℃ and above. Before or immediately after “Rain Water”, rapeseeds and winter wheat would become green. As an old saying goes, “spring rain is more precious than oil”, appropriate precipitation is important to the crops. Rain Water

14. Attentions: Not to remove too much clothing; Not to use too much cold water; Dry up your hair right away; Not to have too much lamb, pepper and alcohol. Rain Water

15. Recommended Recipe: White fungus porridge; Immortal’s porridge: tuber fleece flower root with rice and dates; Green tea with chrysanthemum and pagoda tree flower. Rain Water

16. Local customs: In Sichuan, on this day, the married daughter would return to her parents with gifts; if a child does not have one of the Five Elements in his/her life, the parents would ask the child to recognize a step parent who has that element. Rain Water

17. Awakening of Insects-- jīngzhé惊蛰 This term is on March 5 or 6 when the ecliptic longitude is 345 degrees and the spring thunder sounds to wake up insects from hibernate. Awakening of Insects

18. It should be noted that the time of the first spring thunder is different from south to the north. It is the end of January in the southern part of Yunnan, and it is the end of April in Beijing. The term conforms to the time of the first spring thunder in the southern part of the Yangtze River region. Awakening of Insects

19. “Every thing would grow with the sounding of the spring thunder”. This term happens to be the period of the ninth nine days of winter when the sun is bright, the temperature is warmer and precipitation increases. Aside from the northeast, northwest where there are still snow, the average temperature in most parts of China is over 0℃, it is 3—6℃ in north China, over 8℃ along the Yangtze River and 10—15℃ in southwest and southern China. Chinese people attaches importance to this term, because this is when spring ploughing begins. Awakening of Insects

20. Awakening of Insects Recommended recipe: Pear: It is easy to get thirsty at this time, pear is good for the lung and throat; In Shaanxi, people used to eat fried beans at this time of the year. Awakening of Insects

21. Local Customs: In Guangdong and Hong Kong region, people would offer sacrifice to white tiger, which is believed to be good at instigating disputes on this day, so people would make a fake tiger, applying pig blood and raw fat on it, hoping to stop its instigation; people were also used to beat a paper-cut person, who is a vile character, a token to drive away bad luck. Awakening of Insects

22. Vernal Equinox-春分 chūnfēn is on March 20 or 21st when the ecliptic longitude is 0°. Vernal Equinox

23. Vernal Equinox means the day and night are of the same length, each is 12 hours; it also means that it is in the middle month of the three spring months, that is to say it equally divided the spring season. Vernal Equinox

24. Vernal Equinox At this period, aside from the extremely cold mountainous areas and the areas to the north of 45° northern latitude, the average temperature across the whole country is above 0℃. Vernal Equinox

25. This is the period of the “flood at the Peach Blossom season” in the south of the Yangtze River, yet, at the same time, in the Northeast, Northern China and Northwest, anti-drought is a major issue. Vernal Equinox

26. Local customs: 1, to make eggs stand; 2. Sending drawings of spring cow to households; 3. Flying kites; 4. Spring sacrifice to ancestors; In Beijing, emperors offered sacrifices to the sun at Ritan, which was built in 1530; the offering had 9 procedures. Vernal Equinox

27. Clear and Bright-清明 qīngmíng is on April 5 or 6, when the ecliptic longitude is at 15 degrees. Clear and Bright

28. Before and after the “Clear and Bright” term, melon and bean have to be sowed. Aside from the Northeast and Northwest, the average temperature in most parts of China is over 12℃, people in these places would be busy with spring ploughing. Clear and Bright

29. During this term, there are two things to be done: one is to go outing; the other is to sweep the tombs of your ancestors. By sweeping tombs, you would remember your ancestors and building close relationship with people in your clan. Such a filial activity started in the Spring and Autumn period when it was entirely a practice of the imperial court; common folks began to do the same since the Qin and Han periods. Showing respect to the deceased on the Clear and Bright day Clear and Bright

30. Aside from sweeping tombs, people in Beijing used to go outing, plant willow trees, look at orchid, fly kites, go swinging or go to the town god temple to express a wish. Ordinary people would go out of the Xizhimen for these purposes, rich families would go to Tanzhe Temple instead. Clear and Bright

31. The customs of willow tree planting comes from the legend of Jie Zitui who helped Chonger running away from the State of Jin to avoid from being killed by Duke Xian. 19 years later, Chonger came back to the state and became Duke Wen of Jin and conferred titles to all meritorious officials, but Jie Zitui, who cut flesh from his own leg to feed Chonger deep in the mountains during their exile. Clear and Bright

32. Clear and Bright • Jie was hiding in Mianshan Mountains with his mother, he refused to come down and get rewarded; being anxious to see Jie, the Duke wanted to force Jie to come down and ordered to set fire on the mountain; to his surprise, Jie and mother, clinging to a willow tree, were burnt to death. To remember Jie, Duke Wen named that day “Clear and Bright” and each year on that day, willow trees are planted to remember him.

33. On the day of Clear and Bright, people in Nanjing used to place lanterns in the Qinhuai River. Clear and Bright

34. Sow thistle herb and Indian kalimeris herb shepherd's purse and cirsium setosum Clear and Bright

35. 谷雨gǔyǔ—Grain Rain is usually on the 16th day since the Clear and Bright Day when the ecliptic longitude is 30°. It means that rain would help grain to grow, as a saying goes: before or right after the Grain Rain day, melon and bean are to be sowed. Grain Rain

36. Duckweed begin to appear in water from this day. Farmers are collecting mulberry to raise silkworm, they are already in the fields to plant rice. If there is rain on this day, fishing would be good all year round. Grain Rain

37. A peony flower: A young man named Gǔ Yǔ in the Tang Dynasty saved a few villagers and a peony flower during a flood, he then asked a gardener to look after the flower. A few years later, the young man’s mother became ill, one beautiful girl came to his house to look after his mother. Grain Rain

38. He fell in love with this girl, and wanted to marry her. Yet, he found out she was the peony flower he saved during the flood. The peony’s foe, the bald eagle also fell ill, who wanted to ask the peony sisters to make flower pistil wine for him to cure his disease and was refused by the sisters. The bald eagle then captured the sisters and put them into jail. Gǔ Yǔ , on his birth day, managed to get the sisters out of jail, yet was killed by the balk eagle. The two sisters killed their foe with the hatchet of the young man. From that time on, every year on that day, it would rain and peony flowers would be in blossom in order to remember Gǔ Yǔ. Grain Rain

39. Local customs: Offering sacrifice to the sea; To put up a magic charm on the door to scare away scorpions; To pick tea in the south. Grain Rain

40. A portrait of Cang Jie, who invented Chinese characters. It is said that the Jade Emperor in the Heaven was so touched by Cang’s invention, he ordered a rain to save the secular world from drought. People named that day “Grain Rain” and remember Cang on that day. Grain Rain

41. 立夏 lìxià—Start of Summer that falls on May 6：The ecliptic longitude is at 45°, that marks the start of summer, the temperature gets higher and things start to grow. Start of Summer

42. From this date, frogs, cicadas begin to chirp, earthworm begins to crawl, vegetables turn into green, butterflies begin to fly and fruits start to be ripe. There is a custom in the south to weigh the body on that day. In Jiangsu and Zhejiang, people would begin to use new cherry, plum and wheat; you can not sit on the doorsill on that day. Start of Summer

43. Sun Bin and Pang Juan were all disciples of Guiguzi, a master of military affairs, who taught Sun all his knowledge after Pang left him to work for the King of Wei. Invited by Pang, Sun came to the State of Wei as well. Start of Summer

44. Start of Summer • Pang found out later that Sun was much better in commanding troops, he than asked Sun to lend military books to him. Sun said the books were kept by the master who didn’t allow him to bring them along. One day of group of people tortured Sun and chopped his knees off. Pang came to see him and said that this was executed at the order of the King. One day Pang came to see Sun again and said to Sun that he should write down all his knowledge about military affairs, so that it could be passed on to later generations. Sun thought it was an excellent idea and began to write day and night. One day an old jailer told Sun that when he finished writing he would send the writing to Sun’s family.

45. Start of Summer • Sun said it was not necessary, he wanted to give it to his good friend Pang. The old jailer lamented and said, “You are too honest. Pang is the one who set all this up and framed you!” Learning this, Sun’s heart sunk. He burnt all his writings and pretended to be mad. Pang then threw Sun into a pigsty. Pang wanted to know if Sun was really mad, when he came on the day of Start of Summer, Sun threw pig shit onto him, Sun also ate it. As a matter of fact, it was rice, that was soaked with the leaves of blueberry shrubs, which looked like pig shit. The State of Qi managed to get Sun, who wiped out Pang’s troops at Maling Road and killed Pang. So, on that day, Sun ate this kind of rice to remember the old jailer, people eat this kind of rice to remember Sun Bin.