不過， 在中國傳統文化裡， 昨天還有著特殊的含義……
昨天是二十四節氣中的“寒露”：
《月令七十二候集解》有曰：九月節， 露氣寒冷， 將凝結也。
二十四節氣是中國特有的表示季節變遷的二十四個特定節令， 古人用來指導農事活動。 直到現在， 很多地方的農民還會依靠它來判斷耕種和收穫的時間。
作為中國傳統曆法的一部分， 二十四節氣體現了古代中國人對於天文和自然的探索。 而隨著科技的發展， 人們對於二十四節氣這種曆法的依賴慢慢減少， 對於它的理解也越來越有限。
去年， 二十四節氣被列入聯合國教科文組織人類非物質文化遺產。 之後， 為了更好地保護及傳承這項遺產， 中國民俗學會在北京成立了“中國二十四節氣研究中心”。
最近， 研究中心的副主任、上海大學教授黃景春最近就給Global Times科普了一些關於二十四節氣的小知識……
The 24 Solar Terms
The world has seen great technological advancement in just the past few decades. The 24 solar terms, a thousand-year-old calendar system used by Chinese farmers to plant and harvest crops, seems to be losing its attractiveness among younger generations who now rely heavily on electronic devices.
Phenophases, philosophies and phenomena
Each solar term on the almanac-like calendar has a specific name representing a feature of that specific period. For example, Grain in Beard usually comes on June 5, 6 or 7, when farmers are busy with harvest or planting new seeds. The End of Heat on August 22, 23 or 24 tells people that the hottest weather of the year has passed.
（二十四節氣裡的）每一個節氣都代表著某個特定時間段的特徵。 比如， 穀雨會在每年的6月5、6或者7號到來， 意味著農民要開始收割、播種， 而每年8月22、23或者24號的處暑一過， 就意味著炎熱的天氣終於過去了。
One day, perhaps people will only remember that, when the Winter Solstice (one of the 24 solar terms) arrives on December 21, 22 or 23 every year, we need to eat dumplings to protect our ears from being stung with cold - a traditional tale that prevails in North China.
The preserving and passing of the 24 solar terms of China has become a serious issue among traditionalists in the digital era, but good news arrived last November when China's 24 solar terms were finally listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Soon afterward, the China Folklore Society constructed a studying center of China's 24 solar terms in Beijing, aiming to explore folklore resources behind the terms in different areas while protecting and passing down the heritage for future generations.
Interview with Huang Jingchun
Huang Jingchun, deputy director of the new studying center and a professor specializing folklore and ancient Chinese literature at Shanghai University, recently sat down with the Global Times to share his knowledge and ideas about the protection of the 24 solar terms in China.
GT: Ancient Chinese people used both the lunar calendar and solar calendar. What are their respective functions?
GT:古人使用陰陽合曆， 陰曆和陽曆分別發揮什麼樣的功能？
Huang: The Chinese traditional calendar is actually called the "lunisolar" calendar by scholars. To make it distinct from the Gregorian calendar created by the Westerners, Chinese people used to name it in different ways, such as Chinese calendar (pronounced as zhongli in Putonghua), ancient calendar (jiuli) and lunar calendar (yinli). However, a lunar calendar, indicating only the moon phases, is actually incorrect, as the Chinese traditional calendar combines both lunar calendar and solar calendar.
黃:學者們一般將中國的傳統曆法稱為陰陽曆。
Solar calendars decide the first day of a new year, months and festivals according to the movement of the sun on the ecliptic. Lunar calendars set months and dates based on the position of the moon on its revolution around Earth. To make the lunar months of lunisolar calendars align with the solar year, Chinese add an intercalated month every three years.
太陽曆以太陽在黃道上的運行情況為依據設置元旦、月份和節日，
We call the Chinese traditional calendar "lunisolar" mainly because it is imbedded with the 24 solar terms, which are defined according to the position of the sun. The 24 solar terms actually reflects the position of Earth revolving around the sun. Every 15-degree movement makes one term and 360 degrees make 24 terms, which means a solar year.
我們之所以說中國傳統曆法是“陰陽曆”主要是因為其中嵌入了二十四節氣。 二十四節氣是按照太陽在黃道上的運行情況而設定的， 本質上反映的是地球繞太陽運動的軌道位置。 每運行15°一個節氣， 二十四個節氣360°， 構成一個回歸年（太陽年）。
As Earth revolves around the sun in an ellipse, it rotates faster on its axis when it comes closer to the sun and slower when it goes farther. Therefore, it takes Earth 15 days, sometimes 14 or 16 days, to finish one term. The terms can reflect the climate changes of different seasons correctly. Therefore, it is a solar calendar.
由於地球軌道是橢圓形， 距離太陽越近地球公轉越快， 距離太陽越遠地球公轉越慢， 於是走完15°（即一個節氣）有時需要15天， 有時是14或16天。 節氣體現的是地球在繞日軌道上的固定位置，
GT: The 24 solar terms were established before the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC). Has it ever gone through any evolution in the past thousand years?
Huang: The 24 solar terms have undergone some changes. In the Xiaozheng Chinese Calendar, one of China's oldest scientific documents completed during the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC), there were some descriptions on phenological phenomena and farm works which were used to guide agricultural activities and identical to the ideas to the 24 solar terms.
In the later stages of the Warring States (475BC-221BC), the Lü's Annals, Twelve Periods, a series documents telling phenological changes and Taoism philosophies, included eight solar terms among which the Beginning of Spring (February 3, 4 or 5), the Beginning of Summer (May 5, 6 or 7), the Beginning of Autumn (August 7, 8 or 9), the Beginning of Winter (November 7 or 8) mark the starting of four seasons, while the Spring Equinox (March 20, 21 or 22), the Summer Solstice (June 21 or 22), the Autumnal Equinox (September 22, 23 or 24) and the Winter Solstice stay in the middle of the four seasons.
At the beginning of Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD25), the Huainanzi, a philosophical work of the Eclectics of ancient China, made a detailed description of the 24 solar terms. Later on, Emperor Wu (156BC-87BC) of the Han Dynasty integrated the terms into the solar calendar, from when the terms became an indispensable part of Chinese calendars.
GT: Some people argue that the terms are no longer accurate due to climate changes. What do you think?
GT：由於氣候變化， 有些人覺得二十四節氣已經不準確了， 您怎樣看待這個問題？
Huang: The 24 solar terms are still important, as they reflect the changes of seasons and the phenophases and are used to guide agricultural production. As they were concluded in the mid and lower reaches of the Yellow River, it is suitable for that area.
黃：二十四節氣反映季節、物候等方面的變化， 用以指導農事活動， 至今仍有重要作用。 由於它是在黃河中下游地區總結出來的， 在這一地區最為適用。
Farmers in different geographical latitudes consult the terms based on specific local conditions. This can be explained by some farming proverbs. For instance, farmers in Central China's Henan Province say that the Autumnal Equinox (September 22, 23 or 24) is the best time to sow wheat, those in Central China's Hubei Province believe that Cold Dew (October 8 or 9) is the best choice, but people in East China's Zhejiang Province prefer the Frost's Descent (October 23 or 24).
農民在利用二十四節氣時，是緊密結合本地實際情況的。這在農諺上也有反映，如河南的種麥農諺：“白露早，寒露遲，秋分種麥正當時。”湖北則是：“秋分早，霜降遲，寒露種麥正當時。”浙江變成了：“寒露早，立冬遲，霜降種麥正當時。”
Climate change is not so serious yet to affect actual seasons. China is a vast territory. The terms might be poorly applicable in Northeast China and South China including South China's Guangdong Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, but it won't affect the division of the four seasons by the four beginnings, two equinoxes and two solstices. Currently, they can still direct agricultural production in the areas of the Yellow and Yangtze rivers.
當今氣候變化並沒有達到足以改變季節的程度。中國幅員遼闊，二十四節氣對於氣候的描述（特別是冷暖和降水的節氣）在嶺南的兩廣、東北地區的適用性較差，但這並不影響“四立”“兩分”“兩至”對季節的劃分。今天，二十四節氣在我國黃河、長江流域仍能夠很好地指導農業生產。
GT: Most modern people's understanding of the terms is quite limited. How can we protect the terms, as they are now listed as an intangible cultural heritage of China?
GT：現在，人們對於節氣的變化以及真正的含義瞭解還很有限，二十四節氣申遺成功後，我們該如何去保護這項非物質文化遺產？
Huang: It is true that some people understand the terms in a superficial way and even regard them as an outdated or superstitious calendar. We should self-question the superstitious beliefs people have endowed to the terms, such as taboos on particular days. However, the most important thing is that we need to understand it in an accurate and correct way and keep in mind that it is a solar calendar in essence.
黃：是的，很多人對二十四節氣的瞭解還都比較表像，甚至不少人把它理解成陳舊、過時、迷信的曆法系統。二十四節氣確實曾被賦予了某些觀念和信仰，被附會了某些“宜”“忌”的說法，這些固然是要檢討的。但更重要的是，要準確理解它，認識它的“陽曆”本質。
The Gregorian calendar is only a solar calendar, which only considers the position of the sun. The calendar of Islam is a lunar calendar which includes 12 lunar months but does not consider the tropical year. The Chinese traditional calendar integrating both the tropical year and 12 lunar months bears the exploration spirit and wisdom of ancient Chinese.
西曆（格裡高利曆）是純陽曆，只考慮太陽位置不考慮月相變化；伊斯蘭曆（希吉來歷）是純陰曆，十二個朔望月為一年，不考慮回歸年（即：太陽年），而中國的傳統曆法則把回歸年和十二個朔望月完美融合在一起，其中包含著中國古代人民的探索精神和偉大智慧。
GT: As urbanization progresses along with technological advancement, what kind of meaning do the terms have?
Huang: The terms have been closely combined with the living rhythm, lifestyle and especially traditional festivals of Chinese people. It also absorbed some contents of history, religions and folklore. These cultural features are still playing an energetic role in our society despite increasing urbanization.
For example, people are now emphasizing more on health, which requires us to understand the knowledge of the terms. It is not only a cultural heritage of China, but also a precious heritage to all the human beings.
GT: How will your center spread and promote the terms i n the future?
Huang: In fact, there has been a fever to protect the terms after they were listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The establishment of the center is a practical step that the China Folklore Society took to bring together folklorists, historians and experts studying cultural relics and calendars to protect and promote the terms.
Some organizations have been set up to protect some or all of the terms. Creations themed with the terms are so active that thousands of paintings, especially peasant paintings, have been made.
The center will get more involved in the protection activities held in different places and organize studying workshops to delve into the cultural essence. Forums co-organized by the academic field and local governments such as the one held by Nanjing Agricultural University and Gaochun county of East China's Jiangsu Province on September 23 are also an important way by which the scholars could do research on the basis of local agricultural production and history.
原文/翻譯：Chen Shasha
圖：CFP、網路
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在這一地區最為適用。Farmers in different geographical latitudes consult the terms based on specific local conditions. This can be explained by some farming proverbs. For instance, farmers in Central China's Henan Province say that the Autumnal Equinox (September 22, 23 or 24) is the best time to sow wheat, those in Central China's Hubei Province believe that Cold Dew (October 8 or 9) is the best choice, but people in East China's Zhejiang Province prefer the Frost's Descent (October 23 or 24).
農民在利用二十四節氣時，是緊密結合本地實際情況的。這在農諺上也有反映，如河南的種麥農諺：“白露早，寒露遲，秋分種麥正當時。”湖北則是：“秋分早，霜降遲，寒露種麥正當時。”浙江變成了：“寒露早，立冬遲，霜降種麥正當時。”
Climate change is not so serious yet to affect actual seasons. China is a vast territory. The terms might be poorly applicable in Northeast China and South China including South China's Guangdong Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, but it won't affect the division of the four seasons by the four beginnings, two equinoxes and two solstices. Currently, they can still direct agricultural production in the areas of the Yellow and Yangtze rivers.
當今氣候變化並沒有達到足以改變季節的程度。中國幅員遼闊，二十四節氣對於氣候的描述（特別是冷暖和降水的節氣）在嶺南的兩廣、東北地區的適用性較差，但這並不影響“四立”“兩分”“兩至”對季節的劃分。今天，二十四節氣在我國黃河、長江流域仍能夠很好地指導農業生產。
GT: Most modern people's understanding of the terms is quite limited. How can we protect the terms, as they are now listed as an intangible cultural heritage of China?
GT：現在，人們對於節氣的變化以及真正的含義瞭解還很有限，二十四節氣申遺成功後，我們該如何去保護這項非物質文化遺產？
Huang: It is true that some people understand the terms in a superficial way and even regard them as an outdated or superstitious calendar. We should self-question the superstitious beliefs people have endowed to the terms, such as taboos on particular days. However, the most important thing is that we need to understand it in an accurate and correct way and keep in mind that it is a solar calendar in essence.
黃：是的，很多人對二十四節氣的瞭解還都比較表像，甚至不少人把它理解成陳舊、過時、迷信的曆法系統。二十四節氣確實曾被賦予了某些觀念和信仰，被附會了某些“宜”“忌”的說法，這些固然是要檢討的。但更重要的是，要準確理解它，認識它的“陽曆”本質。
The Gregorian calendar is only a solar calendar, which only considers the position of the sun. The calendar of Islam is a lunar calendar which includes 12 lunar months but does not consider the tropical year. The Chinese traditional calendar integrating both the tropical year and 12 lunar months bears the exploration spirit and wisdom of ancient Chinese.
西曆（格裡高利曆）是純陽曆，只考慮太陽位置不考慮月相變化；伊斯蘭曆（希吉來歷）是純陰曆，十二個朔望月為一年，不考慮回歸年（即：太陽年），而中國的傳統曆法則把回歸年和十二個朔望月完美融合在一起，其中包含著中國古代人民的探索精神和偉大智慧。
GT: As urbanization progresses along with technological advancement, what kind of meaning do the terms have?
Huang: The terms have been closely combined with the living rhythm, lifestyle and especially traditional festivals of Chinese people. It also absorbed some contents of history, religions and folklore. These cultural features are still playing an energetic role in our society despite increasing urbanization.
For example, people are now emphasizing more on health, which requires us to understand the knowledge of the terms. It is not only a cultural heritage of China, but also a precious heritage to all the human beings.
GT: How will your center spread and promote the terms i n the future?
Huang: In fact, there has been a fever to protect the terms after they were listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. The establishment of the center is a practical step that the China Folklore Society took to bring together folklorists, historians and experts studying cultural relics and calendars to protect and promote the terms.
Some organizations have been set up to protect some or all of the terms. Creations themed with the terms are so active that thousands of paintings, especially peasant paintings, have been made.
The center will get more involved in the protection activities held in different places and organize studying workshops to delve into the cultural essence. Forums co-organized by the academic field and local governments such as the one held by Nanjing Agricultural University and Gaochun county of East China's Jiangsu Province on September 23 are also an important way by which the scholars could do research on the basis of local agricultural production and history.
原文/翻譯：Chen Shasha
圖：CFP、網路
更多精彩訊息請關注：
bilibili：@歪果仁在中國
一直播：@歪果仁在中國