The 24 solar terms originated in the Yellow River Valley of China. As far back as the Spring and Autumn Period, the four solar terms of mid-spring, mid-summer, mid-autumn and mid-winter were established. Afterwards, it was continuously improved and perfected, and by the Qin and Han Dynasties, the 24 solar terms had been fully established. In 104 B.C., the "Tai Chou Calendar" was formulated by Deng Ping and formally set the 24 solar terms in the calendar, making clear the astronomical position of the solar system.
In ancient times, 1 year was divided into 12 lunar periods, each with 2 solar terms. From the naming of the 24 solar terms, it can be seen that the division of the solar terms takes into full consideration the changes of natural phenomena such as seasons, climate, and physical phenomena. Among them, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter are used to reflect the beginning of the seasons. The spring equinox, fall equinox, summer solstice and winter solstice are divided from an astronomical point of view, reflecting the turning point of the sun's altitude change. The five solar terms of Xiao Xia, Da Xia, Shi Shi, Xiao Han and Da Han reflect the changes in temperature.
The 4 solar terms of rain, grain rain, light snow, and heavy snow reflect the phenomenon of precipitation, indicating the timing and intensity of rainfall and snowfall. White Dew, Cold Dew, Frosty 3 festival surface reflects the phenomenon of water vapor condensation, condensation, but in essence reflects the process and degree of the gradual decline in temperature. Xiaoman and Mangseo reflect the maturity and harvest of the crops concerned; Hibiscus and Qingming reflect the natural phenomenon of physical weather, especially Hibiscus, which uses the first thunder in the sky and the revival of the underground stinging insects to herald the return of spring.
The autumnal equinox was once a "moon festival":
The autumnal equinox was once a traditional "moon festival", and the Mid-Autumn Festival evolved from the moon festival on the eve of the fall. In ancient times, there was a folkloric activity of "sacrificing the sun in spring and the moon in autumn". The Autumn Equinox was once the traditional "Moon Festival". Moon festival, in our country is a very ancient custom, in fact, is the ancient times of some places in our country ancient people on the "moon god" a kind of worship activities. Mid-Autumn Festival popularized in the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty is China's economic and cultural exchanges between the north and south of the fusion period, cultural exchanges around the fusion of the festival spread. The term "Mid-Autumn Festival" was first written down in the "Zhou Li", which was written between the Han and Tang dynasties. Han to Tang period of the Mid-Autumn Festival in China's northern region is not very popular, in the northern central plains of China is popular after the Tang Dynasty.
Moon festival, in our country is a very ancient custom, in fact, the ancients of the "moon god" of a worship activity. In ancient times, there is "autumn sunset" custom. The moon, that is, worship of the moon god. Set up a large incense burner and offer mooncakes, watermelons, apples, jujubes, plums, grapes and other offerings. Under the moon, the "moon god" tablet is placed in the direction of the moon, red candles are lit high, and the whole family worships the moon in turn, praying for blessings. In ancient times, in some areas of the south, people had the custom of worshipping the moon god on the night of Mid-Autumn Festival. According to evidence, the initial "Moon Festival" is set in the "Autumn Equinox" this day, but because of this day in the eighth month of the lunar calendar every year on different days, may not always have a full moon, so later will be "Moon Festival "from the" Autumn Equinox "to" the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. [4-5]
The custom of moon-viewing originated from the moon festival, and the seriousness of the festival turned into a light-hearted conviviality. It is said that this night the moon is the closest to the earth, the moon is the largest round and brightest, so from ancient times to the present day have the custom of drinking feasts to enjoy the moon; back to the mother's family daughter-in-law is the day must return to her husband's home, to symbolize the perfect, auspicious meaning. Because Chang'e in the Moon Palace is a woman, so there is a "but for the moon, men do not bow to worship", that is, the folk proverb said "men do not worship the moon" tradition.