文化篇。冬至日（2）Winter Solstice (2)
月令通考。明。盧翰撰
冬至之日。蚯蚓結。又五日麋角解。又五日水泉動。
仲冬之月。六陰極盛。一陽未復乃陽陰交會之時。故謂之冬至。
夜長而晝短。乃十一月之中氣也。
復十有一月之卦也。天地生物之心幾于滅。至此乃復可見。
冬至陰之極。子為正陰之位也。一之日謂斗建子。一陽之月。感極風寒也。
十一月乾之初九。陽氣復于地下始著。為一萬物萌動。鍾于太陰《前律曆志》
陽生于子。陰生于午。陽生于子故十一月曰冬至。鵲始加巢《淮南子》
日冬至則斗北中。繩陰氣極。陽氣萌故曰冬至為德 《淮南子》
Winter solstice (Part 2)
When time gets to winter solstice, this is the middle of the second last month of the whole year and the middle of winter season. This is Zi month 子月, both water and ‘yin’ energy are both strong and obvious now.
There are three physical signal from the nature confirming this. The earthworms are turning into a knot shape. People in the old times believed that worms are straight when yang energy is strong, and will turn into a knot shape when the yin energy is strong.
During the second five days, the horns of reindeers are not growing any longer. This particular species of reindeers with horns pointing backward, this is symbolizing ‘yin’, therefore during this time, when the first trace of ‘yang’ energy became visualized, then their horns will stop growing until the next season.
Then finally the last five days, as ‘yang’ energy is picking up, the underground water fountain became active and warm again.
文化篇。冬至 Forth winter solar term ~ Winter Solstice
歲時廣記。四十卷。南宋。陳元靚撰
冬至
通曆及高氏小史曰。地皇氏以十一月為冬至。
曆義疏云。冬至十一月之中氣也。
冬至者。極也。太陰之氣上於陽。太陽之氣下極於地。寒氣已極故曰冬至。
氣當易之是以王者。閉閭商旅。不行以其陽氣。乘踊君壽益長。是以冬賀也。
亦以日之行天至於巽維。東南角極之於此。故曰冬至。
Winter solar term ~ Winter Solstice
When the time gets to winter solstice, it is the second last month of the year, month 11th, this marks the middle of the Zi month 子月 and the water energy of Zi month has reached a high level.
Winter solstice means it is deep winter already and the ‘yin’ energy is at the peak level, it also maximizes out the ‘yang’ energy in this month.
At this time, almost all the economic activities are stop due to the extreme coldness in the air, no transportations are to be seen.
文化篇。天文招搖逐月推移圖 Tail of Northern Dipper movement indicates month changes
嵗時廣記。四十卷。南宋。陳元靚撰
《淮南志》
孟春招搖指寅。仲春指卯。季春指辰
孟夏指巳。仲夏指午。季夏指未
孟秋指申。仲秋指酉。季秋指戌
孟冬指亥。仲冬指子。季冬指丑
《漢志》云。閏月無中炁。斗餘指兩辰之間
As we all know the name of the twelve earthly branches are also the name of the twelve calendar months of the year, but how come they share the same name?
According to a popular ancient Chinese astrology book, it wrote about a star called Seginus 招搖星. It belongs to the Northern Dipper and its near the tail. The Seginus is a flashing star since it’s sometimes bright and sometimes dim, therefore it looks like it’s flashing from time to time.
When Seginus is pointing direction Yin, Mao and Chen, it’s the three consecutive months of Spring season.
When Seginus is pointing direction Si, Wu and Wei, it’s the three consecutive months of Summer season.
When Seginus is pointing direction Shen, You and Xu, it’s the three months of Autumn season.
When Seginus is pointing direction Hai, Zi and Chou, its the three months of Winter season.
These twelve earthly branches also stands for directions too, as a result, when Seginus is pointing that direction, it’s the designated season of the year.
節令篇。大雪十一月節 Third winter solar term ~ Major snow
月令廣義。二十四卷。明馮應京纂輯
孝經緯》小雪後十五日．斗指壬為大雪。
十一月節。言積陰為雪。至此凜冽而大矣。
日出入
出辰入申
三候
大雪之五日。𪂇鳥不鳴。
次五日。岩槿榮。虎始交。
次五日。荔挺出。水仙開。
五行用旺
大雪水旺
Fifteen days after light snow, the tail of the Big Dipper is pointing to the direction north, is the third winter solar term ~ Major snow.
When we get to Major snow, it is the eleventh month of the year, Zi month 子月. The name of this solar term, snow also carries a meaning of the ‘Yin’ energy, this flow of yin is getting strong and results in snow piling up in nature. When yin energy gets to the max, the yang energy is ready to kick off soon. This is the basic feature of this ‘Yang’ & “Yin” energy.
During this month, the sun is coming out at direction Chen (southeast) and sinking in direction Shen (southwest).
People in ancient times, they also observed the first five days, it’s getting really cold and the wild birds are not coming out. The second five days, tigers in the forest will come out and ready for mating season. The last five days, the wild water lily sensed that the ‘yang’ energy is about to kick off, so it will start bursting soon.
During this period, water element gets to its strongest status.
節令篇。十月中炁。小雪 Second solar term in winter season ~ Light Snow
月令廣義。二十四卷。明馮應京纂輯
立冬後十五日。斗指亥為小雪。十月中天地積陰。
溫則為雨。寒則為雪。時言小者。
寒未深而雪未大也。
三候
小雪之五日。虹藏不見
次五日。天氣上騰。地氣下降
後五日。橘始黃。閉塞而成冬
木生
小雪水正。旺而木生
Second solar term of winter season, light snow. This is the fifteen days after the first winter solar term, Winter Commences. The tail of the Big Dipper is pointer direction Hai (northwest), this is the tenth month of the year.
During this time, the ‘Yin’ energy is filled in the air and it is strong at this month.
When the temperature is slightly milder, then it is rain, if it is colder, then there is snow. Light means at this time, it is yet the coldest and snow will become more for the rest of the year.
First five days of light snow, the ‘Yin’ energy is dominating and therefore, we cannot see rainbow during this time.
Second five days, the ‘Yang’ energy freezes in the sky while the ‘Yin’ energy stays on the ground, they are not circulating, which means at this time, all the things stop.
Third five days, since the ‘Yang’ and ‘Yin’ energy are not circulating, therefore, it is stuck and makes the winter status
節令篇。立冬十月節 Winter solar term ~ Winter solstice
月令廣義。二十四卷。明萬曆
立冬十月節 Solar term to kick start winter season ~ Winter Solstice
《孝經緯》霜降後十五日。斗指乾為立冬。十月節。冬者終也。萬物皆收藏也。
日出入
出卯辰。入申酉
三候
立冬之五日。蓀（一種香草）乃榮。冬芛熟。水始冰
次五日。地始凍
後五日。雉 （野鳥）入大水為蜃（水龍）
太陽在卯
日躔大火之次
According to ancient book, fifteen days after the last autumn solar term, Frost Descent, the tail of the Big Dipper points direction Qian (northwest), that is time for solar term, Winter solstice.
Winter season carries a meaning of storing, which means after a whole year of hardworking, all the crops and harvests are putting away and store them properly, this is the manner of winter season.
At this time of the year, the sun comes out from southeast and sinks in southwest.
This is the beginning of winter, first five days of winter solstice, a type of aromatic grass and bamboo shoot ripped at this time, water starts to freeze.
10th days, ground begins to freeze too.
15th days, a wild birds start to fly on water and turn into dragon (this is how ancient people observed and thought)
月令篇。九月中炁霜降 Solar Term ~ Autumn Cold Dew
月令解卷。經部。欽定四庫全書
是月也。霜始降則百工休乃命。有司曰。寒氣總至民力不堪其皆入室
工民四民之中。亦居六職之中。國之器用所資也。
霜降則休。注謂寒而膠漆之作。不復堅好。此未盡古人之意。
蓋當休老勞農之時。凡終歲勤動者無不休矣。
百工之役使之少息。此亦聖人順時之政也。
夫積陰成寒。其氣總至歲時之所同也。民生畏寒入此室處亦其情之所同也。
Autumn solar term, Xu month 戌月 is Cold Dew. By referring to ancient book, having a better understanding of the description of Cold Dew, is the time for cold weather to come.
It is time for all labour force to rest and not staying outdoor as the wind chill was too strong to work outside. People were much encouraged to stay indoor to protect themselves.
This was also a government policies for the general public according to the weather changes.
節氣篇。寒露九月節 5th solar term of autumn ~ Cold Dew
月令廣義。二十四卷。明萬曆。馮應京纂
《孝經緯》秋分後十五日。斗指辛為寒露。言言露冷寒而將欲凝結也。
日在亢
亢宿 （注：亢金龍，二十八宿之一，東方七宿第二宿）之度去極九十度。
表影
天表景長八尺五寸四分
日出入
出卯入酉
三候
寒露之五日。鴻雁來賓
次五日。雀入大水為蛤
後五日。菊有黃華
金旺
寒露七日。金正旺
Today is the day we officially entered the fifth and also the second last solar term of autumn season, Cold Dew, which also means, thirty days from today, we will enter winter season and a new slot of winter solar terms will kick in.
Cold dew, from the name we can tell water drops will condense in the morning when the air is still cold. Temperature is dropping day by day until deep winter, so it is named as Cold Dew.
People in the ancient society divided one solar term into three sessions. During Cold Dew, the first session is birds migrated to the warm weather countries already and wait for warmer weather and they will return.
Second session is shell fishes were showing a lot on the sand on beaches, and people in the old days thought they were turned from those migrated birds.
Third session is the majority of the flowers withered already and only left chrysanthemum are still beautifully blossoming.
In terms of five elements, from the seventh days of Cold Dew, metal element dominates the season.
八月中炁。秋分 Fourth autumn solar term ~ Autumn Equinox
月令廣義。二十四卷。明萬曆
白露十五日。斗指酉為秋分。陰生於午。極於亥。故酉其中分也。仲月之節為秋分。秋為陰中陰。陽適中。故晝夜長短亦均焉。
日在角
角宿（注：是二十八宿之一，東方青龍七宿第一，在七曜屬木，以蛟象徵，故稱角木蛟）之度去極八十四度。
表景
天表影長六尺五寸五分
晝夜均
秋分中氣日出卯三刻。日入酉三刻。晝五十刻。夜五十刻。
三候
秋分之五日。雷乃收聲
次五日。蟄蠱壞。戶景天華
後五日。水始涸
秋分而成
《老子》天地之氣莫大於和。和則陰陽調。日夜分。故萬物春分而生。秋分而成。生與成必得和之精。故積陰不生。積陽不分。陰陽交接乃能成和。
Autumn equinox is the fourth solar term of autumn season, which means we have already entered deep autumn and two more solar terms, we will enter winter season. During this time, fifteen days after the last solar term, White Dew, the tail of the Big Dipper is pointing direction You (酉) west.
While the first yin energy starts in Wu month 午月, yin energy maximizes in Hai month 亥月, therefore, You month (eighth month) is the middle point of both yin and yang energy. Daytime and nighttime is equally long during this solar term period.
The length of the sun during autumn equinox is 6ft and 5 inches long.
酉。八月節令。白露 Mid autumn solar term ~ White Dew
月令廣義。二十四卷。明萬曆。馮應京纂
月令通考
《孝經緯》處暑後十五日。斗指庚為白露．言陰氣漸重露凝而白也。
日出入
出卯入酉
三候
白露之五日。鴻雁來。次五日。玄鳥歸。後五日。羣鳥養羞。
此記酉月之候。育風疾風也。來自北而來南也。歸春來而秋去也。羞者。藏之。以備冬月之養也。
金旺
白露秋分。俱金用事。
兌居西方正秋之時，于五行屬金。
From the last solar term, we are about to enter the second month of autumn season since the third solar term, White Dew. The name of white dew is closely related to the critical features of autumn in the old society.
White belongs to metal element, and it represents autumn. During this time of the year, those heat escalated from summer is dropping gradually. Dew is visible on leaves and plants in the morning. From these two natural phenomenon, we can conclude that we are in deep autumn already. From the language of five elements, metal and water elements are dominated the second half of the year.
八月令 the eighth month ~ You month 酉月
月令廣義。二十四卷。明萬曆。馮應京纂
仲秋之月。日在角（角在辰壽星之次）（注：角。二十八宿之一，東方青龍七宿第一，在七曜屬木，以蛟象徵，故稱角木蛟）。
其日庚辛。其帝少皥。其神蓐收。其蟲毛其音商律中南呂。
其數九其味辛。其臭腥其祀門祭先軒。
冠帶有常。常制也。此因時之寒而預為衣冠之備。
乃命有司申嚴百刑。孟秋既命嚴斷刑。此又命之故曰。申嚴刑止有五而云。百刑者。據罪言之也。曰罪多而刑五是也。
斬殺必當。刑之所加。不止斬殺所命上。此者以大辟尤重故也。
民收斂務畜。
菜多積聚。菜所以助穀之不足。凡為歲備者。無不貯儲。孟秋巳命此又趨之。
On the 7th September 2024, is the third solar term of autumn, White Dew 白露, which means we are already in the middle of autumn. From the point of view from the ancient society, they have specific features and traditions for autumn.
The eight month of the year, which is You month for 酉月, the second month of autumn. In terms of heavenly stems are Geng 庚 and Shen 辛 metal elements. The emperor of autumn is 少皥, since it is autumn so it belongs to metal element. The God is 蓐收, it carries a meaning of autumn harvest. Number 9 represents metal element.
Around this time, the temperature starts to drop gradually until it reaches deep winter. People started to gather and organize thick clothes to keep them warm under the cold weather.
As mentioned in last posts, autumn is also the season for death penalties. Any criminals received death penalties, they are usually due in autumn.
七夕節。古代情人節 An ancient love story, another valentines day from the Chinese culture
月令釆奇。四卷。明萬曆。李一楫編
事林廣記。十二卷。南宋。陳元靚編
荊楚歲時記。七夕為牛女聚會之辰。戴德云。此日織女東向。蓋言星也。石氏星經云。牽牛名天關。佐肋期云。織女神名牧陰。天官書云。是天帝外孫。傳玄擬天問云。七夕牛女會天河。即其事也。牽牛主關梁。織女則主瓜果。
七月七日之夜謂之七夕。齊諧記曰桂陽城武丁有仙道。忽謂其弟曰。七月七日織女當渡河。吾向已被召躬問織女何事渡河。答曰暫詣牽牛出人至今云。織女嫁牽牛也。傳玄擬天問曰。七月七日牽牛織女會天河也。七月七日夜灑掃中庭。施幾筵設酒脯。牽牛織女相會守夜者。見天漫中有白氣光曜。五色以此為徵。應見者便拜願乞富乞壽無子者乞子。
The first valentines day in the year is the first fifteen days from the Chinese new year which we called the 元宵節. The second one is during the seventh month of the year, Shen month 申月. This is the love story between a cow boy and a knitting lady. They are married but lived separately, and they can only get together once during this time of the year on a bridge above a river in the sky.
People usually will pray for blessings on longevity, luck and having kids at this time too.
七月中炁。處暑 Second solar term of autumn ~ End of Heat
月令廣義。二十四卷。明萬曆三十年。馮應京纂
立秋後十五日。斗指申為處暑。言瀆暑將退伏而潛處也。處上聲止也。暑氣止息也。
三候
處暑之五日。鷹乃祭鳥。次五日。天地始肅。後五日禾乃登。
Fifteen days after the last solar term, Start of Autumn, when the tail of the Big Dipper points direction Shen 申 (southwest), is the time for End of heat. At this period of the year, the summer heat is about to fade away gradually, which means we have officially entered the second half of the year, in terms of the five elements, metal and water elements are dominating the remaining time.
節令。立秋七月節 Solar term for 7th month, Shen month 申月, Autumn Commences
月令廣義。二十四卷
《孝經緯》大暑後十五日。斗指坤（未坤申方）為立秋七月節。
秋耆揫也（意：收攏、聚集）。萬物于此揫斂也。
日出入
出卯（東）入酉（西）
三候
立秋之五日。涼風至。芷乃箭。
次五日。白露降。
後五日。寒蟬鳴
土金用事
立秋坤土五日。餘皆金旺。
一葉落
《淮南子》一葉落而天下知秋。
秋至而梧桐一葉落。
First solar term of autumn is ‘Autumn Commences’, it illustrates the seventh month of the year which is Shen month 申月. Fifteen days after the last solar term ‘major heat’, the tail of the ‘Big Dipper’ is pointing direction ‘Kun’ 坤方, is southwest Shen 申. It is autumn, is the season for harvest and storing.
At this time, the sun comes out from the direction Mao 卯方 and sets in the direction You 酉方.
大暑。六月中炁 Solar Term of Wei Month 未月 ~ Major Heat
月令廣義。24卷。明馮應京纂輯。六月令。節令
小暑後十五日斗指未為大暑。六月中卜大者。就極熱之中分為大小。
初後為小。望後為大也。
日在卯
柳宿之度，去極七十二度（星宿後宮的朱雀七星士之一）。
表影
天表影長二尺五寸八分。
三候
大暑之五日。腐草化為螢。次五日大潤溽暑（潮溼悶熱）。
後五日大雨時行。
太陽過午
日躔鶉火之次（鶉火與十二辰相配為午，與二十八宿相配為柳、星、張三宿）
己土王
大暑己土旺十五日
未半卦氣
大暑未之半。其卦為𢁉為風。水風並山風蠱。
Fifteen days after solar term ; minor heat 小暑；the tail of the big dipper is pointing to the direction Wei 未，is the mid of sixth month, it enters the hottest period of the whole year.
月令廣義。二十四卷。明。馮應京纂輯
伏日文化 Traditions for the hottest days in the year (what did people do in the old days?)
現代人，大部分都會在三伏天進行天灸中醫治療。在古代，無論平民或政府官員都會在伏天季節，除了中醫保健外，還有各種不同的習俗，大部分現在已經失傳了。
氣候
陰氣藏伏
「後漢書」六月伏日。周時無至。此乃有之師。古曰。伏者謂陰氣將起。迫干殘陽而未得升故為藏伏。
秦作伏祠
秦穆公（春秋時代秦國國君，在位三十九年）二年初作伏祠社磔狗四門。以禦蠱災蓋祠社。以伏日同無伏祀蓋起。於此漢有春社二社與伏分也。
置上伏
吏註。六月上伏。秦始皇所置也。
伏日封功
前漢諭封每擇伏日
伏閉盡日
漢和帝（漢和帝劉肇，東漢第四位皇帝，在位十七年）令伏閉盡日。
（注）漢官舊儀。日伏日厲鬼行。故伏閉盡日不干他事。
巴蜀擇伏
「風俗通」漢中巴蜀。自擇伏日。其地濕暑。草木早生晚落。氣異中國故命元。
𧶽氷（冰異體字）
石季龍（趙武帝石虎，字季龍，中國五胡十六國時代中，後趙的第三位皇帝）於氷臺藏氷，三伏之日以湯大臣。
伏臘羊酒
「楊惲書」田家作苦藏時。伏臘（古代兩種祭祀名稱。伏在夏季伏日）烹臘肉羔羊酒自羊炮。
伏日𧶽肉
「漢書」伏日𧶽從官肉。大官日晏不來。東方朔特為郎拔劍割肉。謂同官曰伏日。
避暑飲
「袁紹（東漢末年割據勢力之一）」三伏之際。盡日與劉崧飲酒。故河朔有避暑之飲。
伏不嫁聚
「四時𥴠要」三伏嫁聚傷夫婦（陰陽）（大忌）伏日切勿迎新婦。犯之大凶。
Nowadays, in Wei month, generally people will go to do Chinese medical to do treatment especially for these hottest day in the year. In the old days, there are a lot of tradition and activities.
Weather
Hottest days in Wei month sixth month 未月，yin energy starts to escalate and forcing the yang energy to be stored underground.
God Worship
During high temperature days, it’s easy for people to get infectious disease, so emperor in those days lead his people to go into temple to worship gods for people to stay healthy.
Award Ceremony
During the Han dynasty, emperors choose these special days to hold award ceremonies.
Closed Day
Han emperor set these days as a closed days as nothing will go on and people are at rest.
Emperor gifted ice to his official
Ice was an extremely rare resources in those days, as they do not have any freezing tools. The emperor will gift ice to his officials during these hottest days.
Eat mutton meal
Mutton is a warm meat according to the Chinese medicine point of view, and they believe eating warm meat to keep the heat in the inner body to prepare for the cold season. People will eat mutton and drink lamb milk and wine.
No wedding ceremony
During these hot days, no wedding ceremony was held due to they think this is non-auspicious and unlucky.
月令廣義。二十四卷。明。馮應京纂輯 上。中。下元節
Gods of Nature (2)
十五日。上元
「白帖注」歲有三元。正月十五為上元。
元首為歲夜節之首。故曰元夜。燈夕。
三官朝天
「修真指要」上元日。天地水府三官朝天。
張靈元。張元精二真人飛昇之辰。上元十靈官神仙兵馬
與上聖高真妙行真人。同下降人間考定罪福。
天官𧶽福
上元誕日
中元地官
七月十五日
十五日。下元節
水官解厄
「正乙要旨」下元十月十五日水官解厄
Referring to this ancient book being written in the Ming dynasty, the author mentioned the Gods of Nature. He wrote the myth behind them and how come people worship these Gods.
三官大帝～天神組合 Gods of Nature
功能：擋煞消災
誕日：天官正月十五日
地官七月十五日
水官十月十五日
三官大帝是一組天神的組合，來自人類對天、地、水的自然崇拜。
三官即天官、地官和水官。祂們各有職司，
天官𧶽福（這就是很多人家門口放置天官𧶽福神位）、地官赦罪、水官消災解厄。
這三個神祇最初只是普通的民間俗神，但在東漢時被道教吸納之後，一下子變身成為主管人間禍福的天神，在道教中地位極高，
僅次於玉帝。
宋以後又被稱為三元大帝，廟宇的神牌則多稱為三元三品三官大帝、中元二品赦罪地官清虛大帝、三元三品解厄水官洞陰大帝。
People in the old society, they worship all the resources they get from the nature, so it comes up with the concept of this set of Gods.
This is the combination of God of Sky, God of Earth and God of Water. There is one saying that, this concept has a long history as the East Han dynasty (東漢時期 25-220 year), they used to be original gods that people worship at home, later they are being included into the Taoism and they then become more and more popular.
God of Sky ~ auspicious blessings
God of Earth ~ being forgive for all the wrong doing
God of Water ~ help to avoid for any danger
月令廣義。二十四卷。明馮應京簒輯 “歲”
旬歲 。 滿歲曰旬歲
（說文。旬。十日為一旬，滿也）
嗣歲 。 來歲也
比歲 。 比類也
洊歲 。 再歲也
（說文。洊。荐、再也）
積歲。積年也累歲也。積土而為山。積水而為海。旦暮積謂之歲
歲晏 。 歲晚也又清平之歲
（說文。晏。天清也，無雲之處也）
明年 。 來歲也
一齡 。 一年也，凡稱年載。自一以至十百皆同。又稱歲日，霜日，周日，春日，秋之類也。
暮年 。 歲既暮也，又老年，耄年，衰年，頹齡晚景比之
大有年 。 （春秋）五穀皆熟也
有年 。 豐登歲
稔歲 。 稔亦年也，𣫛熟曰稔豐年也
豐年 。 歲熟也
六月節。小暑 Wei month solar term ~ moderate heat
月令廣義云。
孝經緯。夏至後十五日。斗指丁為小暑。六月節
日在鬼 （鬼金羊，二十八宿之一，南方七宿第二宿）
鬼宿之度去極六十七度。
Fifteen days after solar term ‘summer solstice’, is another summer solar term ‘moderate heat’. At this time, the big dipper is pointing direction Ding 丁 is moderate heat time.
表影。天表影長二尺五十九分。
日出入。出寅入酉
In this month, the sun rises in direction Yin 寅 (northeast) and sets in direction You 酉 (West)
三候
小暑之五日。溫風至。至次五日。
蟋蟀居壁。後五日。鷹乃學習。
Three pendants of ‘moderate heat’
1st five days ~ warm wind
2nd five days ~ crickets live under shades since the temperature is too high
3rd five days ~ eagles will avoid landing on the ground since the ground temperature is too high.
太陽在未。日躔鶉首之次。
五行用事。十日丁火旺。後乙木三日。己土三日。
月令廣義卷之十一，伏日 Three hottest day in Wei month 未月
曆忌釋云：
伏者何。金氣伏藏之日也。四時代謝皆以相生。
立春木代水。水生木。
立夏火代木。木生火。
立冬水代金。金生水。
至于立秋以金代火。金畏于火。故至庚日。必伏庚者金也。
三伏
通書。夏至後第三庚為初伏。
第四庚為中伏。
立秋後第一庚為末伏。故三伏。
凡四十四日大熱。所以對臘之大寒也。
As mentioned in the last article, Wei month, the sixth month of the year, even it belongs to the earth element but actually it also related to fire element too.
During Wei month, there are three hottest day of the year. They are the three Geng metal day 庚日。
Referring to ancient book, they explained why are three Geng metal day.
According to seasons change, spring wood generates summer fire, autumn metal generates winter water. The relationship between fire and metal is an exceptional case. Fire can destruct metal, as a result, metal energy needs to escape the peak of heat. As a result, it comes up with the concept of the three hottest Geng metal day.
First day is; the third Geng metal day after solar term Summer Solstice
Second day is; the forth Geng metal day
Final day is; the first Geng metal day after solar term Start of Autumn
月令廣義卷之十一；六月令。未月 All about the sixth month, Wei month.
禮記月令云。
季夏之月，日在柳（柳宿，南方朱雀七宿第三宿），昏火中旦奎中。
其日丙丁。其帝炎帝。其神祝融。其蟲羽（羽毛之蟲屬火）。
其味苦。其臭焦。
季夏之月。斗柄建在未。溫風始至。風主涼時，熱極而溫。
According to ancient book, Wei month is the last month of the summer season. The sun is in 柳宿, the star sign in the south.
In this month, the handle of the big dipper is at direction Wei.
We can feel warm wind blowing and the summer heat as well.
月令釆奇四卷。明。五月令 午月 Wu month (fifth month)
五月中炁。斗指午。故月建午。從月之中炁而定建也。
午者何。陰陽交故曰午。説文(説文解字)午。牾也。(逆也)
五月陰從下而上。陽昇地而出。陰氣與陽相仵逆也。
一陰生。陰陽爭與生六。日長至而復短。月卦名垢。姤遇也。
以陰遇陽。以柔遇剛之象。氣卦版離。離為火。
文明之象。
Interpretation:
The fifth month is the Wu month 午月, in this month, the energy of yin & yang swap in this month. (Yang energy from Zhi month 子月 to Si month 巳月, Yin energy from Wu month 午月 to Hai month 亥月).
Month trigram for Wu month is Coupling bagua 姤卦。 From this trigram, we can see the yin lin presents from the bottom.
Grain in Ear 芒種 ~ The third solar term in summer season
Grain in ear is the ninth solar term throughout the whole year and the third in summer season, it is at 5th of June in every year. Grain includes buckwheat, rice, barley etc types of crops, some of the crops are waiting to be harvested from the spring planting season, and the some are waiting to be planted from the summer season. Those are plant in summer are the late planting crops.
Farmers are very busy at this time, during early summer as they have to harvest the spring crops and plant the summer crops. Grain in ear is completely a solar term based on agricultural needs. At this time, the heat in the air is obviously escalating and getting more humid throughout the whole summer.
In grain-in-ear, it is Si month, the 4th month of the year, there is a Chinese festival at this time, it is the dragon boat festival and it means the Wu month officially starts.
During dragon boat festival, people have dragon boat competition and eat the sticky rice dumplings.
月令釆奇云：
孝經緯曰。小滿後十五日。斗指丙。為芒種。芒種者。言有芒之榖。可播種也。太陽尚在申。表影長二尺五寸九分。
五月中炁。斗指午。故月建午。從月中炁而定建也。
Chinese Mythology ~ Nuwa (女媧) The Goddess that create human beings
As we all know, from the 1st day of chinese new year, and until the 7th day of the chinese new year, it is set as the birthday day of all human beings in the world (人日)
According to traditions, the 1st day is Day of Rooster, 2nd day is Day of Dog, 3rd is day of Pig, 4th is Day of Sheep, 5th is Day of Cow, 6th is Day of Horse and finally the 7th is Day of Human.
This order is according to the order that Nuwa create living create to live in the world. The seventh day, she created human, therefore, on the 7th day we all celebrate the birthday of all humankinds.
跟隨傳統，從新年第一天計算起，一直到第七天，這稱作 “人日”，每個人的生日。第一天是雞，第二天是狗，第三天是豬，第四天是羊，第五天是牛，第六天是馬，第七天是人類的生日。
傳說中，女媧負責在土地上製造生物，一直到了第七天，她用她的腸子生化生化人類，所以第七天，人類便誕生。
卯月中氣：春分 Spring Equinox
事林廣記：八節雲氣 –
春分日，東方青雲，宜麥歲熟，氣雲萬物不實，人熱疫，其日晴明，萬物不成。
Weather during spring equinox to forecast the agricultural economy of this year. If there is slightly greenish cloud in the east, crops will be ripened, if cloud is loose, people are likely to fall sick and crops will be not be good and ripened on time.
歲時廣記：歲時廣記卷第一，春 – 仲春月
春分之日，玄鳥至，後五日雷乃發。後五曰始電。
During spring equinox, birds are back, thunder in heard and lightening are seen.
月令廣義：卷四，春令
分日占：春分，震卦，氣應向明庶風（春風) 至，從兌沖方來為逆氣兇，其日東方有青雲歲豐。晴明燠熱萬物不成。
Zhen trigram (震卦), wind from the east, if wind comes from west, this is opposing, and can be treated as a sign of bad performance in farming activities this year.
月令彩奇：卷之一，二月令
後十五日，斗指卯為春分，分，半分也。一年分享為四時，皆九十日，春之半。秋之半，晝夜平等。
Second half of the month, the tail of the big dipper is pointing direction mao (卯), this is spring equinox, spring has gone half already. Just like the autumn equinox, daytime and night time is equally long.
月令通考：卷之三，二月
分，別也，仲春四陽二陰，晝夜之氣，中停陰陽交分，故謂之春分，二月之中氣也。
Spring equinox means the wood energy is at the peak now.
春社 (Chun She) ~ Ceremony worship the motherland
Chun She is one of the most long history ceremony since the ancient society. China is a country relied on agricultural activities, therefore, they have all sorts of different cultures traditions passing along until today.
Chun (春) is spring season and she (社) means a place where people worship and in the ancient times, it also carries a meaning of motherland.
This is carried out twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn when its harvest time. This is making sense since spring is planting season and by worshipping the motherland, hopefully, all planting are carried out smoothly and when its autumn, its harvest time. Farmers all hope they will get a very fruitful harvest for the year. That’s why spring and autumn worship are two very critical ceremonies to carry out.
According to history, Chun She started almost over 2000 years ago and we can find some trances of history in oracle.
Chun she is usually around the solar term spring equinox time, which is 20th or 21st March every year. Both the local government and local people will carry out their ceremonies themselves. Official bodies are in a very formal format, they will follow all the settings and procedures throughout the whole process but on the other hand, local people were doing it in a more causal way.
Local people treated this as a party style, they will drink, play games, watched Chinese opera, eat banquet meals together. We can see from lots of drawing masterpieces from ancient times showing scenes from Chun she.
春社是源自中國的傳統民俗節日，是祭祀社稷土地神的日子，春社的時間一般為立春之後的第五個戊日，約在春分前後，但也有二月初二、二月初八、二月十二、二月十五之說。有些人認為社日在商、西周之原始時期，是男女幽會的狂歡節日。
花月名稱（玄柔系列）Other names of twelve months
正月：端月🌸開端之意。一年之始名「端月」🌸
二月：花月🌸古時的節慶「花朝節」月曆二月初二🌸百花爭豔🌸是以引伸「花月」的名稱🌸
三月：梅月🌸梅樹至三月盛開吐艷🌸稱為「梅月」🌸
四月：桐月🌼四川省盛產桐樹四月枝頭綻放花朵🌼故名「桐月」🌼
五月：蒲月🌼端午節各家於門楣掛上菖蒲（菖蘭）避邪🌼故稱「蒲月」🌼
六月：伏月🌼六月的天氣炎熱🌼各種動物都蟄伏在蔭涼處避暑（三伏天最炎🌼天干庚為首）休息🌼言「伏月」🌼
七月：荔月🍁因七月盛產荔枝🍁所以稱「荔月」🍁
八月：桂月🍁八月桂花飄香🍁故稱「桂月」🍁
九月：菊月🍁菊花盛綻於此月🍁所以叫「菊月」🍁
十月：陽月🥀十月屬於小陽之時所以稱此時為「陽月」🥀
十一月：葭月🥀「葭」是蘆葦🥀十一月開花🥀名「葭月」🥀
十二月：臘月。🍂「臘」是慶祝本歲與新年交接之時一種祭祀🎋在十二月舉行，所以稱作「臘月」🌸
玄天上帝旦（農曆三月初三日）Birthday of the God of the northern star
中國民間自古以來就深信天上星宿之運轉和人類命運息息相關。而在眾星運轉的世界裡。唯有北極星永恆不動。因此古人就把北極星奉為「北斗星君」。
道教則認為北方是幽暗寒冷之所。則是人死後陰魂歸宿處。因此叫作「玄」。而統治北方黑陰暗領域的神。就稱 「 玄天上帝」。 「玄天上帝」乃「北極玄武星君」的化身。道教將「玄天上帝」奉祀於「北極殿」或「真武殿」。因而「玄天上帝」又稱「北極大帝」 「真武大帝」… 等。他的全稱為「北極玄天上帝」。
道教說法。「玄武」乃龜蛇合體。位於北方其色黑所以稱「玄」。「玄武」以龜蛇合體以應北宿之象。道教尊稱「上帝」為「三元都統帥 」。統帥三十六帥。是道教靈威最盛信仰最廣的神明之一
另民間說法。「玄天上帝」原為一名屠夫。 決心修道。擬將屠刀拋入河中。但又恐誤傷水中的生靈。乃舉刀切腹以淨身體。再將腸肚拋棄河中用以贖罪。那知此時空中忽降萬道金光護體。渡化他成仙。這就是俗稱「放下屠刀。立地成佛」 的典故了。
Ancient chinese society believed in astrology. They can foresee changes via observing the even tiny alteration of the stars‘ locations. They believed messages from stars are all related to daily lives of the general public. When all the stars move when our planet rotates, there is only one star that is stationary, this is the ‘Northern star’. Since this star is unique, therefore, they deified it as god.
The God of the northern stars rules the first seven flying stars of the feng shui flying stars. North in feng shui is a water element and it is the darkest and coldest. So dark that it is the ultimate heaven for passed away souls.
In taoist belief, there is a divine beast of a mixture of snake and turtle shape. It is black and lives in the north. It is also the image of the ’God of the northern star‘ on earth.
中國古代日出。日入稱謂 Name of sunrise and sunset in the ancient Chinese society and mythology
湯谷：晹谷。古代傳說日出之處。
出處：山海經。海外東經曰：＂下有湯谷。湯谷上有扶桑，十日所浴，有黑齒北。有谷，曰溫湯谷有扶木，一日方至，一日方出，皆載於鳥。
虞淵：傳說為日沒處。
古人傳說，太陽早晨從東方晹谷出發，晚上落入西方的禺谷。
出處：淮南子。天文訓，日至于虞淵，是謂黃昏。
悲谷：哺時 （午後三時至五時），傍晚
出處：淮南子。天文訓：（日）至于悲谷，是謂哺時。
昆吾： 正午時太陽所在的地方。
出處：淮南子。天文訓：「至中昆吾是謂正中。」
蒙谷： 古代傳說日落之處。
出處： 淮南子。天文訓：「至于虞淵是謂黃昏。至于蒙谷，是謂定昏。」
中元節陰曆七月十五日 Hungry Ghost Festival
根據古時暦書記載：
中元地官 （傳說「地官赦罪」，農曆七月十五日是地官的誕辰，民間稱這一天為中元節，在這一天有祭祖並祈求地官赦免祖先之罪的習俗，亦是祭祀一切亡靈的日子。）勾搜眾人，分別善惡，以其日作玄都，大獻於玉京山，以世間奇異好妙，幢幡寶蓋供養之具。 精膳飲食，獻諸眾聖。
According to Chinese Almanac from ancient times, it recorded the story and belief of hungry ghost festival in the old times. As time passed, these traditions has been changed due to changes in the society. We can only know the true picture of hungry ghost festival from reading these old books.
People believed The God of the Land 地官 (There are three Gods in this aspects, they are God of the Heaven, Land and Water. God of the Land is responsible for checking good deeds and evil acts that people had done and deciding whether that person is getting awards or punishments).
In order for people to praise the God of Land, they will prepare religious decorations like picture below. Prayers are being embroidery on special fabric and make into cylinder shape to worship the God of Land. People also have to prepare food and drinks to feed those hungry ghosts for good deeds.
