The pool of middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. The culture of this plain is one of the best elements of the cultural tradition of the Chinese nation. The customs of the people of Shanxi, Henan, Shandong, from Tainjin and Beijing are also many similarities as differences. We discover the remote origin of traditional Chinese culture and various forms of lifestyle adopted by the inhabitants of these regions.
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Taiyuan (Shanxi), the residence of the Qiao family, the museum of folk customs and Hebian wall of ancient Pingyao wall.
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Linfen (Shanxi): the museum of folk customs of the village of Dingcun.
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Yuncheng (Shanxi): The temple dedicated to General Guan Yu and wall paintings dating from the Yuan in the temple Yongle.
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Weifang (Shandong): the popular village of morals in Shijiazhuang district Anqiu, the museum of kites and prints of New Year Yangjiabu.
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Luoyang (Henan): troglodyte dwellings in Henan in the West.
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Tianjin: the street of traditional culture and the Museum of New Year prints of Yangliuqing.
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Beijing: visit courtyard houses and alleys.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
How the ancient Chinese believed that to repair its mistakes
The elders thought it was very important to repair its own mistakes - it was a way to cultivate virtue. It was also an important problem of introspection and cultivation. The former believed that even a saint could make mistakes. In "The Classics", it is said that no man is infallible, and being able to correct its mistakes is the noblest of virtues.
Make a mistake and not correct it, is thus committing another mistake. Confucius said, "If you know you made a mistake and you do not correct, that's when you truly commit a mistake." This is wonderful when someone can actively improve its behavior. We should act as Mo Zi, one of the most famous disciples of Confucius, "Happy every time he was learning from its mistakes." Only when someone is anxious to correct the errors that can continuously improve and become a person of great virtue.
In The Analects Zi Chang 19, Chang Zi, one of the disciples of Confucius, said: "The errors of a gentleman are like the eclipses of sun and moon, when a gentleman made a mistake, everyone sees and when it corrects, everyone admires that. " Mistakes are inevitable, particularly errors of a gentleman. If it can reform itself, the others will continue to respect it. Failing to do so or if he made efforts to conceal them, then not only will lose his self-esteem but will also face the disdain of others towards him.
In the Book of Changes, it is said that we must change for better and fix our mistakes.
It is impossible for anyone not to make mistakes, but what is crucial is the correct time. Taizhong, the famous emperor of the Tang dynasty, was renowned for his ability to accept different ideas and thus he was able to correct his mistakes at the right time. When he was reminded by Wei Zheng, the counselor in whom he had had the most confidence, he said: "If you take copper as a mirror, it will help you adjust your outfit, if you take history as a mirror, you will see the emergence and fall of dynasties, if you take a human being as a mirror, you will learn the loss and gain. " Take "human being as a mirror" means taking the words and behavior of people like references to discover that no matter that we have right or wrong, we must abandon our own idea if others have better, we must recognize and correct our mistakes if we find that others will behave in the right way, We will be cautious and attentive if others make mistakes, so you do not reproduce the same.
In the senior officials in ancient China, it is said that we must correct its mistakes without hesitation.
Mencius told this story: "There was a man flying every day a chicken with its neighbor. Someone told him that this was not the conduct of an honest man. The man replied, "I need time to correct that. First, I steal one chicken per month, instead of one per day, and next year I will steal more. "He knew he was acting badly. Why does it not correct its error immediately instead of waiting until next year? Once you know your mistakes, you should take steps to correct them quickly and not let things drag.
Lu Jiuyuan, a thinker of the Southern Song Dynasty, said, "When someone shows you errors, you must correct them immediately when you know your mistakes, you should not try to hide, when you correct your mistakes, you do not have fear. "
Mencius was once praised Zi Lu, saying: "Every time someone pointed out to Mo Zi had made a mistake, Zi Lu was very happy." Based on what Mencius said, Lu Jiuyuan drew this conclusion and said: "First, do not be afraid when others highlight your mistakes and secondly, having learned from your mistakes, you should not try to mislead others and yourself, and finally, you must persevere constantly correcting your mistakes. "Have no fear." These words are of great importance. After you have committed a fault, do not be afraid of criticism, do not be afraid to be embarrassed, and furthermore, do not be discouraged because of difficulties that might arise in the process of repairing the fault. When you are able to follow these three steps, your moral rise continuously.
Yan Yuan, a thinker and tutor of the Qing Dynasty, recommended learning all things and apply it in everyday life. He said, "Cultivate your character means to correct your mistakes and change for the better. He insisted that we must apply ourselves to the strict standards.
Make a mistake and not correct it, is thus committing another mistake. Confucius said, "If you know you made a mistake and you do not correct, that's when you truly commit a mistake." This is wonderful when someone can actively improve its behavior. We should act as Mo Zi, one of the most famous disciples of Confucius, "Happy every time he was learning from its mistakes." Only when someone is anxious to correct the errors that can continuously improve and become a person of great virtue.
In The Analects Zi Chang 19, Chang Zi, one of the disciples of Confucius, said: "The errors of a gentleman are like the eclipses of sun and moon, when a gentleman made a mistake, everyone sees and when it corrects, everyone admires that. " Mistakes are inevitable, particularly errors of a gentleman. If it can reform itself, the others will continue to respect it. Failing to do so or if he made efforts to conceal them, then not only will lose his self-esteem but will also face the disdain of others towards him.
In the Book of Changes, it is said that we must change for better and fix our mistakes.
It is impossible for anyone not to make mistakes, but what is crucial is the correct time. Taizhong, the famous emperor of the Tang dynasty, was renowned for his ability to accept different ideas and thus he was able to correct his mistakes at the right time. When he was reminded by Wei Zheng, the counselor in whom he had had the most confidence, he said: "If you take copper as a mirror, it will help you adjust your outfit, if you take history as a mirror, you will see the emergence and fall of dynasties, if you take a human being as a mirror, you will learn the loss and gain. " Take "human being as a mirror" means taking the words and behavior of people like references to discover that no matter that we have right or wrong, we must abandon our own idea if others have better, we must recognize and correct our mistakes if we find that others will behave in the right way, We will be cautious and attentive if others make mistakes, so you do not reproduce the same.
In the senior officials in ancient China, it is said that we must correct its mistakes without hesitation.
Mencius told this story: "There was a man flying every day a chicken with its neighbor. Someone told him that this was not the conduct of an honest man. The man replied, "I need time to correct that. First, I steal one chicken per month, instead of one per day, and next year I will steal more. "He knew he was acting badly. Why does it not correct its error immediately instead of waiting until next year? Once you know your mistakes, you should take steps to correct them quickly and not let things drag.
Lu Jiuyuan, a thinker of the Southern Song Dynasty, said, "When someone shows you errors, you must correct them immediately when you know your mistakes, you should not try to hide, when you correct your mistakes, you do not have fear. "
Mencius was once praised Zi Lu, saying: "Every time someone pointed out to Mo Zi had made a mistake, Zi Lu was very happy." Based on what Mencius said, Lu Jiuyuan drew this conclusion and said: "First, do not be afraid when others highlight your mistakes and secondly, having learned from your mistakes, you should not try to mislead others and yourself, and finally, you must persevere constantly correcting your mistakes. "Have no fear." These words are of great importance. After you have committed a fault, do not be afraid of criticism, do not be afraid to be embarrassed, and furthermore, do not be discouraged because of difficulties that might arise in the process of repairing the fault. When you are able to follow these three steps, your moral rise continuously.
Yan Yuan, a thinker and tutor of the Qing Dynasty, recommended learning all things and apply it in everyday life. He said, "Cultivate your character means to correct your mistakes and change for the better. He insisted that we must apply ourselves to the strict standards.
Horse in the Tang
The horse had an essential place in the Tang dynasty omnipotence. The breeding of horses, developed a systematic way from the seventh century, had a considerable political and military during this period.
The Tang dynasty indeed imposed its supremacy thanks to the thousands of horses that could bring on the battlefield. It is at its cavalry most of its military victories.
The riders were mostly archers. At the beginning of the dynasty, the Tang army had only five thousand horses. A century later, around 650, it is estimated that more than seven hundred thousand the number of frames available in the imperial stud farm, through the province of Shaanxi and Gansu.
Beyond the essential role of the military horse in the Tang, the court will develop a passion for this important animal. Thus the development of polo practice among the Chinese aristocracy.
But it is especially in the arts that the horse will take the most important, including ceramics and paintings on silk. The painter Han Gan (720-780) remained the leading expert in this type of representation.
What the old Chinese saying about "Courage"
Confucius said "A man is not worried about kindness, a scholar is not embarrassed and one brave man is not afraid." But courage does not mean being reckless or stubbornly combative. The "Courage" is related to the 'cultivation' of virtue and morality. Confucius acknowledged that his disciple Zilu was quite brave, but he advised him to always keep a sense of justice, hand in hand with courage. Bravery has no value without the sense of righteousness. Forgot righteousness for the benefit or doing nothing while justice wants can not be called real courage. The courage that conforms to morality has always been a virtue highly recommended in traditional Chinese culture. Shijing (Book of Odes), Daya (Major Odes) and Shumin (Ordinary people) say "Do not eat the sweet, do not spit out the difficult, not to torment the weak and helpless and not be afraid of despots and people power. "[Unofficial translation]. This poem was composed to praise and support to battle the famous General Zhong Shanfu Xizhou of the dynasty. The general idea is that the poem should not be easily tempted by things soft and tender, rather than reject it difficult or intimidating the weak and be intimidated by the strong. The poem blessed the general, saying he will not fail to enforce the imperial decree, he will be able to arrange talks between the warlords and bring comfort to the people. This expresses admiration for a great character and the courage not to deny and to put pressure on the small and weak while not fearing neither danger nor powerful. In the annals of Aigong book Zuo Zhuan, 16th comment, "Courage is headed by righteousness" means that only by adhering to the morality and righteousness that we can speak of courage. The courage "must be based on compassion and righteousness" Confucius is often the question of courage. He says, "A benevolent man is not concerned, a scholar is not embarrassed and one brave man is not afraid." ( "Monday Yu" - [Interviews Confucius] - Xianwen [Key Issues]). According to Confucius, there are three qualities that a good man must possess and which are also the perfect human state. A caring and moral person will treat others with kindness and generosity, so it does not worry. A wise person can distinguish good from evil, it will therefore not be embarrassed. Someone brave not afraid to deal with disasters, so it has nothing to fear. Someone with just one of its qualities is already difficult to find, but it is even more difficult to find someone who has all three. Confucius said candidly that he could not accomplish all three. But his disciple Zi Gong said, "Master speaks for itself", which meant that it was the only description was that of Confucius himself. In the spirit of his disciple, Confucius was the epitome of kindness, wisdom and courage. If he did not have three qualities, who had? Confucius also said "A person certainly sympathetic to the courage, but a courageous person is not necessarily benign neglect" ( "Monday Yu - Xianwen). This statement expresses the relationship between "caring" and "courage." A benevolent person is certainly courageous for a just cause, even sacrificing his life for this and that's true courage. Some people may seem very brave, but not in order to seek justice. This can be reduced to an emotional glow, not necessarily with the heart to care for others and kindness. Confucius said, "Whoever does not act for a just cause during a confrontation is not what is called courage" ( "Monday Yu - Weizheng" [The government]) If a person dares not face the challenge that it was intended is a sign of cowardice. This statement illustrates the relationship between righteousness and courage. Do nothing for a just cause is not only a sign of cowardice, it is a shame. Facing the challenges with noble and just cause is a behavior that is much admired in the Chinese traditional culture. In fact such courage that speaks the former is close to the moral and ethical behavior. In his Dialogue Li Hou famous author Su Shi of Song Dynasty criticized the kind of stupidity that leads to fighting in a fit of rage. He praises those with aspirations of visionaries have been able to endure the humiliation, and believes they are very brave. He said "They are really brave, those who are not afraid to deal with a sudden calamity and not deal with n'enragent wanton acts." This means that there are people in the world very courageous, to unforeseen disasters that are not afraid, that the injustices are not angry, as HanXin the Han dynasty that has to crawl between the legs of a thief when he was young. If he had not been able to endure this humiliation and had decided to kill the rogue, how he could have achieved success later? Thus we see that when necessary, endure is the wise choice of a courageous person. Zhu Jia class courage in "petty courage" and "courage." He says in his book (annotation about stanzas of the fourth book - Annotate about Meng Zi) "The petty courage is the result of the excitement, and great courage comes from the correct principles and reason." It means that the petty courage is impulsive, while courage is based on morals and principles. | ||
Tibetan Calendar
The Tibetan calendar is officially entered into force in 1027, and used since then. Its creation was largely related to the people who brought civilization of Central Plains in Tibet.
In the beginning, the Tibetans used a different system of calculation. According to the records, Tibet had its own calendar before the first century BC. The AD method was very simple, based on a system of lunar months based on the full moon, new moon and half moon. In this system, the New Year's Day was the first day of the eleventh month of the current Tibetan calendar. It was the timing of the good religion. An almanac of that era has been discovered in the region Lhoka. This ancient calendar condense the wealth of knowledge of Tibetans with regard to agriculture and astronomy at the time, and it would influence the Tibetan astronomical calendar.
When Princess Wencheng Tang traveled to Tibet, she brought many books, some of which dealt with astronomy and the calendar, which has played a role in the development of the Tibetan calendar. Instead of serving time to set the lunar New Year, we took the position of the stars as a reference point. Some regions still Xigaze observe the New Year according to the method of calculation. From the ninth century, the Tibetan calendar began to resemble that of the Han, and under Phagpa (1235-1280) that saw its greatest development. The New Year period was determined, the year was divided into 12 months (30 days for "large" number of months and 29 days for "small"). It was also
added an extra month every 1 000 days to keep the balance between the months and seasons. The Tibetan calendar uses the twelve signs of the zodiac, and years are calculated using the 12 terrestrial branches (rat, beef, etc..) That are combined with the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water ). This creates five cycles of 12 years, which form a cycle of 60 years called "rabchung", introduced in 1027.
Advent calendar Chinese
The "Advent calendar" Chinese
九九消寒图jiǔjiǔxiāohántú, the timing of 9 times 9 days, or the timing of winter, is a sheet on which the Chinese have the 81 days of winter until the spring.
The Jiǔ, number 9, is a unit of time. From the day of Dongzhi冬至, the winter solstice, all the 9 days is a cycle "Jiǔ" until the day惊蛰Jingzhi, "awakening of insects", which is the return of spring. It is often said that the first 3 Jiǔ (corresponding to the month following that of Dongzhi) is the most severe of the year. A Chinese folk song says, "9 the first two, hands in your pocket. The 3rd and 4th, we walk on the ice. The 5th and 6th, the ground weeping germination. The 7th 9, the water again to sink. The 8th 9, swallows return. 9 The 9th past, cattle work. " Of course, due to a climatically diverse, the songs and proverbs vary in each region according to local circumstances.
The schedule of 9 days after 9 "is more often in the form of a sheet with 9 Chinese characters, each of which is composed of 9 features. Every day we completed a line from the day of Dongzhi, so 9 characters will be completed by the end of 9 Jiǔ, the day of Jingzhi. Traditionally, the strokes are filled with different colors corresponding to the time of the day: red for sunny, blue for cloudy, green for the rain, the yellow wind, and white for the snow (on may leave blank or put the powder of lead). Sometimes we also completed the deal directly with a small summary of the weather early days in writing (image below). This calendar of "9 times 9 can also serve as a compendium of data meteoric..gif)
A 2nd method of counting the 81 days (very rare) is the design of Prunus mume or梅méi. This tree blooms in winter is the symbol of virtue in traditional Chinese culture. The design is composed of 9 parts of "mei", each containing 9 buds. Were replaced daily by a flower bud throughout the 81 days of the cycle.
A 3rd method is to fill in the circles of pre-designed calendar. It fulfilled a part of the circle to indicate the time of day. Blackened circles on the way: the top half of a sunny day, the bottom half for a cloudy day, half left for a windy day, half to right for a rainy day, and a point in the middle for snow .
Below is an example of schedule 9 times 9溥仪Pǔyí completed by the last emperor of China. This calendar is divided into 9 frames, each contains 9 symbols Taiji太极open in different directions. In this example, the Yin (white) of Taiji is considered as empty, ie not half filled. The use of Taiji is probably related to the status of imperial family.
九九消寒图jiǔjiǔxiāohántú, the timing of 9 times 9 days, or the timing of winter, is a sheet on which the Chinese have the 81 days of winter until the spring.
The Jiǔ, number 9, is a unit of time. From the day of Dongzhi冬至, the winter solstice, all the 9 days is a cycle "Jiǔ" until the day惊蛰Jingzhi, "awakening of insects", which is the return of spring. It is often said that the first 3 Jiǔ (corresponding to the month following that of Dongzhi) is the most severe of the year. A Chinese folk song says, "9 the first two, hands in your pocket. The 3rd and 4th, we walk on the ice. The 5th and 6th, the ground weeping germination. The 7th 9, the water again to sink. The 8th 9, swallows return. 9 The 9th past, cattle work. " Of course, due to a climatically diverse, the songs and proverbs vary in each region according to local circumstances.
The schedule of 9 days after 9 "is more often in the form of a sheet with 9 Chinese characters, each of which is composed of 9 features. Every day we completed a line from the day of Dongzhi, so 9 characters will be completed by the end of 9 Jiǔ, the day of Jingzhi. Traditionally, the strokes are filled with different colors corresponding to the time of the day: red for sunny, blue for cloudy, green for the rain, the yellow wind, and white for the snow (on may leave blank or put the powder of lead). Sometimes we also completed the deal directly with a small summary of the weather early days in writing (image below). This calendar of "9 times 9 can also serve as a compendium of data meteoric.
.gif)
A 2nd method of counting the 81 days (very rare) is the design of Prunus mume or梅méi. This tree blooms in winter is the symbol of virtue in traditional Chinese culture. The design is composed of 9 parts of "mei", each containing 9 buds. Were replaced daily by a flower bud throughout the 81 days of the cycle.
A 3rd method is to fill in the circles of pre-designed calendar. It fulfilled a part of the circle to indicate the time of day. Blackened circles on the way: the top half of a sunny day, the bottom half for a cloudy day, half left for a windy day, half to right for a rainy day, and a point in the middle for snow .
Below is an example of schedule 9 times 9溥仪Pǔyí completed by the last emperor of China. This calendar is divided into 9 frames, each contains 9 symbols Taiji太极open in different directions. In this example, the Yin (white) of Taiji is considered as empty, ie not half filled. The use of Taiji is probably related to the status of imperial family.
Chinese calendar (2)
The Chinese calendar, whose form was determined more or less under the Han, is a lunisolar calendar formed over several centuries by combining observations of various movements of the moon, sun and the planet Jupiter , length of shadows, hours on the days and nights, agricultural phenomena. Tradition claims it was created by the Yellow Emperor in the Gregorian calendar -2697. This mythical ruler would have also created the sexagesimal cycle, the most ancient Chinese system of numbering the years. Currently we are in the 79th round.
The Gregorian calendar was officially adopted in 1912, but, in keeping the popular habits and occupation of northern China by the warlords, it was not until 1 January 1929 to be applicable throughout the extent of the country. The official time was chosen in the first ports opened to the West on the East Coast (120 ° east longitude) rather than that of Beijing.
The traditional calendar is used to determine the dates of religious festivals or as the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) and the Feast of Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as astrology.
He was given several names, the most common being that of "farmer's calendar" (农历nónglì), as opposed to "calendar" (公历gōnglì) or "Western calendar" (西历xīlì).
The non-Han populations in general had their own calendar, still used by national minorities of China to determine their holidays.
Origin of the lunisolar calendar
The association lunisolar is old, because he found written on divination from the Shang dynasty years of the 12 lunar months with one or two months interest. It is from 841 BC, when King Liwang Zhou was forced to leave the throne to his son, that there are specific indications calenders. The first calendar month Zhou always around the winter solstice, and there is no rule for the precise astronomical position of intercalary months. Other systems exist as vassals sometimes enact their own agenda, particularly from the Warring States. At the beginning of this period, 484 BC, began the use of a system comparable to Metonic cycle which provides for seven leap years (each containing a month) over a period of 19 years. In 256 BC, the Kingdom of Qin fixed the winter solstice in the 11th month. Qin build the empire, and this principle will be taken over by the Han for the establishment of a timetable that will become the main reference to the twentieth century: the timing of "major" (Tàichū太初), set in 104 BC by Emperor Wudi. The winter solstice falls on the 11th month, is regarded as the intercalary month in which the sun does not fit into a new sign. Because of the difficulties in calculating astronomical movements of the sun and moon are averages, not actual movements. In 619, under the Tang, the moon, the moon will replace real average from 1645, the Qing schedule will be based on the sun through the real calculation sinusoids introduced by the Jesuit Adam Schall.
Besides the schedule, there were many types of calendars used by different specialists: astrologers, astronomers etc.
Some principles of the lunisolar calendar
The basic rules were already laid down the timetable Taichu Han, but the increased accuracy of calculations of the position of the sun from 1645 has some complicated rules for determining the intermediate months.
1. The months are lunar months, the first day of each month beginning at midnight on the day of the astronomical new moon. They wear their name serial number (1 to 12).
2. Each year has 12 regular months, and sometimes (every 2 or 3 years on average) a month (闰月rùnyuè), which can theoretically up position after any month regular, but generally falls between the 2nd and 9th month. It has the same number as the months preceding ordinary, but it is marked as interlayer.
3. If twelve months between two successive occurrences of the eleventh month, one of these twelve months must be an intercalary months, and is the first of these twelve months during which the sun remains in the same zodiac sign.
4. Monthly tabs are arranged so that between the sun still in the constellation of Capricorn during the eleventh month of the regular year, which was once the first and has remained astrology. The winter solstice is therefore still the 11th month.
5. The official time of the astronomical new moon and the sun in a zodiac sign is the local time of the observatory of Purple Mountain (紫金山天文台Zǐjīnshān Tiānwéntái) in Nanjing.
By following this system, the New Year falls between January 21 and February 21 (inclusive). This schedule meets the requirements of agricultural purely solar calendar (see jieqi) vis-à-vis the date of Chinese New Year, except in very rare occasions, this is the case in 2033.
96.6% during the month the sun enters a new zodiac sign. Cases a year with no intercalary months:
Name months Longitude Sign of the Zodiac
1正月Zhengyu 330 ° Pisces
2二月èryuè 0 ° Aries
Sanyu三月3 ° 30 Taurus
Sìyuè四月4 ° 60 Gemini
5 ° 90五月wǔyuè Cancer
6六月liùyuè 120 ° Lion
7七月Qiyue 150 ° Virgin
8八月Bayu balance 180 °
9九月jiǔyuè 210 ° Scorpio
10十月Shiyu 240 ° Sagittarius
11十一月shíyīyuè 270 ° Capricorn
12十二月shí'èryuè 300 ° Aquarius
The Chinese and Gregorian calendars are in sync every 19 years. Most Chinese notice that their Chinese and Western birthdays often fall on the same day for their 19th, 38th [...] birthday.
The agricultural calendar and Jieqi
The sun along the ecliptic is the subject long ago the attention of farmers. It forms the basis of the agricultural calendar which divides the year into 24 periods called alternatively jie (节) "node" and qi (气) "breath". They are generally named jieqi (节气). Each represents the movement of the sun of 15 degrees along the ecliptic, ie about 15 days. This system is entirely solar, it has a fairly regular correspondence with the Gregorian calendar. The periods have names referring to the changes in the nature or farming activities of the moment.
Although the agricultural calendar does not directly take into account the movements of the moon, the life of the peasants was also marked by traditional festivities, including the date depends, however, the lunisolar calendar. The reference for the beginning of the year was the period known Lichun, the Chinese New Year is normally the day of the new moon that falls during this period or is the closest.
In popular tradition the months often had names. One of those first months, Zhengyu (正月), "month rule" is still used; Dongyue (冬月) " 'winter months' and layue (腊月), named after a sacrifice, referring respectively the 11th and 12th months in northern China, are no longer employees but are found in proverbs and literature. In regions with abundant agricultural produce, each month the name of a fruit.
Table Jieqi
Chinese name Occurrence in the Gregorian calendar Note literal meaning
立春(Lichun) February 4 February 18 ~ early spring
雨水(yǔshuǐ) February 19 ~ March 4 indicates more rain water than snow
惊蛰(Jingzhi) March 5 ~ March 20 réveil insects indicates that animals and insects are waking up from hibernation
春分(chūnfēn) March 21 ~ April 4 spring equinox
清明(Qingming) 5 April ~ April 19 bright and clear when dealing with graves
谷雨(gǔyǔ) April 20 ~ May 5 rain for grain indicates that the rain will help the growth of grain
立夏lixia May 6 ~ May 20 start of the summer
小满xiǎmǎn May 21 ~ June 5 small roundness indicates the roundness of the grains
芒种mángzhòng June 6 ~ June 20 grain spike indicates that the grain of corn (use botany)
夏至xiàzhì June 21 ~ July 6 Summer Solstice
小暑xiǎoshǔ ~ 7 July 22 July heat light
大暑dàshǔ July 23 ~ August 6 Primary heat
立秋lìqiū August 7 ~ August 22 start of the fall
处暑chùshǔ August 23 ~ September 7 arrest of heat
白露báilù September 8 ~ 22 white dew September humidity condenses into dew white
秋分qiūfēn September 23 ~ October 7 autumn equinox
寒露hánlù October 8 ~ October 22 cold dew
霜降Shuangjiang October 23 ~ November 6 possible decrease of freezing temperature and frost occurrence
Lidong立冬November 7 ~ 21 November early winter
小雪xiǎoxuě November 22 ~ December 7 low snow
大雪daxue 21 ~ December 7 December snow important
冬至Dongzhi December 22 ~ January 5 Winter Solstice
小寒xiǎohán 6 ~ January 19 January cold low
Dahan大寒January 20 ~ February 3 very cold
The above dates are approximate and may vary slightly from year to year. Chinese New Year is usually the day of the new moon nearest Lichun.
Song Jieqi
It is used to simplify the storage of Jiéqì. "节气歌" "Jiéqìgē"
春雨惊春清谷天yǔ chun chun qing jing gǔtiān,
夏满芒夏暑相连mǎn máng xia xia shǔ Xianglian,
秋处露秋寒霜降qiu qiu chù Lù Hán shuang xiang,
冬雪雪冬小大寒xue xue dong dong da han xiǎo.
Numbering of years
There are different systems for naming years. The oldest, which was mainly used to count the days before the Han, combines two sets of signs: the 10 heavenly stems (天干tiāngān) and 12 terrestrial branches (地支dìzhī). Each year is named by a pair stem-branch (干支Ganzha). The heavenly stems are associated with Yin and Yang (阴阳Yinyang) and the five elements (五行wǔxíng). Each branch is associated with an animal.
The large cycle formed by the combination of the two rounds last sixty years (the lowest common multiple of 10 and 12) and is called in Chinese jiǎzǐ (甲子), name of first grade. "Jiǎzǐ" is a metaphor to mean a lifetime; in Japan where the system was used Jiazi past, the anniversary of sixty years kanreki called "completion of the calendar."
The months, days and hours may also be written using the heavenly stems and branches land, but they are usually reported using the Chinese numbering. Together the four stems and four branches are the eight characters (八字bāzi) used in Chinese astrology.
Besides the year of Chinese calendar lunisolar called nian (年), a period that links two Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) consecutive, there is a solar year (岁SUI) which spans from the beginning Spring (Lichun立春) to the following (see Jiéqì). The dates of traditional festivals are listed in the luni-solar years. Some astrologers argue that the change of Jiazi, so animal-sign, must be made at the beginning of the solar year and not the Chinese New Year as is usual.
This cycle of 60 years is inadequate for the historical references. For the imperial and feudal periods, the reigns given in principle by the posthumous name of the sovereign (Nian Hao), or eras (division rule), followed by the number of years. For example康熙壬寅(Kangxi rényín) (1662) is the first壬寅(rényín) year of the reign of康熙(Kangxi), which was the only emperor to reign over 60 years.
Twelve animals
These are, in order, the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, the rooster (his pronunciation, ji, is the same as "luck") , dog and pig.
There was no difference between being the first animal or the last to be reached, because it's not a competition but rather an invitation to better know and better understand others.
It is important to clarify that Astrology does not compare people to animals and vice versa.
Indeed, this Astrologie people have too much respect for treating pig or rat, like the Egyptians, Asian Astrology is based on some characteristics of animals to make some sort of deities and not make fun of them .
The legend tells that the first Buddha invited all the animals at New Year's Eve in order to communicate their observations.
12 animals went to this appointment, first arrived on passionné Rat or Mouse, and then determined the Beef or Buffalo, and the brave Tiger, then Lievre homebody or Rabbit or chatting and then unifying the Dragon or lizard, and the frivolous Snake, Horse and free, and then spend the goat or sheep or goat, then Acrobat Monkey, then the French Rooster or Phénix then, the dog and then justiciary generous Pig or Boar or Pig or Ours.
For animals that have different names, the reason is that almost all of Asia took this legend, each country adapting Petfinder by its fauna countries (China, Vietnam, Japan, etc ...).
Buddha said: "To thank you all for coming this eve, from this year, each of you will receive favors not the year of his animals but of the Favorable Year Animals Compatibles his triangle and each year according to the Animal has the characteristics of the animal from which came the year.
Thus, each of which has Pets Pets him that they were compatible and their bad years and bad depending on the item / agent of the year of birth of each of 12 animals.
Twelve animals were thus live a serene life without suffering as Triangle Lotus Buddha.
The Rat and Mouse began years ago in 2697 BC (Jesus Christ is born in a Year of the Monkey), this round of Animals.
Holidays
Name Date Name Chinese French Activities 2003 2004 2005
months 1 day 1 Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)春节Chunji meeting family and important celebrations January 1 February 22 February 9
1 months 15 days Lantern Festival元宵节yuánxiāojié torchlight, consumption yuánxiāo February 15 February 23 February 5
3 months 10 days Qing Ming Jie清明节qīngmíngjié and cleaning visit family graves April 5
5 months 5 days Dragon Boat Festival端午节duānwǔjié Dragon Boat Races and consumption Zongze 4 June 22 June 11 June
7 days 7 months Qi Qiao Jie (day of Saint Valentine Chinese)乞巧节qǐqiǎojié The girls are showing their skills home and pray for a good marriage 4 August 22 August 11 August
7 months 15 days中元节Ghost Festival zhōngyuánjié ceremonies and offerings to the wandering souls August 12 August 30 August 19
8 months 15 days holiday from mid-autumn (Moon Festival)中秋节zhōngqiūjié Meeting Family and Consumer moon cakes 11 September 28 September 18 September
9 months 9 days Day double nine (chrysanthemum festival)重阳节zhòngyángjié excursion in the mountains and visiting exhibitions floral 4 October 22 October 11 October
The Gregorian calendar was officially adopted in 1912, but, in keeping the popular habits and occupation of northern China by the warlords, it was not until 1 January 1929 to be applicable throughout the extent of the country. The official time was chosen in the first ports opened to the West on the East Coast (120 ° east longitude) rather than that of Beijing.
The traditional calendar is used to determine the dates of religious festivals or as the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) and the Feast of Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as astrology.
He was given several names, the most common being that of "farmer's calendar" (农历nónglì), as opposed to "calendar" (公历gōnglì) or "Western calendar" (西历xīlì).
The non-Han populations in general had their own calendar, still used by national minorities of China to determine their holidays.
Origin of the lunisolar calendar
The association lunisolar is old, because he found written on divination from the Shang dynasty years of the 12 lunar months with one or two months interest. It is from 841 BC, when King Liwang Zhou was forced to leave the throne to his son, that there are specific indications calenders. The first calendar month Zhou always around the winter solstice, and there is no rule for the precise astronomical position of intercalary months. Other systems exist as vassals sometimes enact their own agenda, particularly from the Warring States. At the beginning of this period, 484 BC, began the use of a system comparable to Metonic cycle which provides for seven leap years (each containing a month) over a period of 19 years. In 256 BC, the Kingdom of Qin fixed the winter solstice in the 11th month. Qin build the empire, and this principle will be taken over by the Han for the establishment of a timetable that will become the main reference to the twentieth century: the timing of "major" (Tàichū太初), set in 104 BC by Emperor Wudi. The winter solstice falls on the 11th month, is regarded as the intercalary month in which the sun does not fit into a new sign. Because of the difficulties in calculating astronomical movements of the sun and moon are averages, not actual movements. In 619, under the Tang, the moon, the moon will replace real average from 1645, the Qing schedule will be based on the sun through the real calculation sinusoids introduced by the Jesuit Adam Schall.
Besides the schedule, there were many types of calendars used by different specialists: astrologers, astronomers etc.
Some principles of the lunisolar calendar
The basic rules were already laid down the timetable Taichu Han, but the increased accuracy of calculations of the position of the sun from 1645 has some complicated rules for determining the intermediate months.
1. The months are lunar months, the first day of each month beginning at midnight on the day of the astronomical new moon. They wear their name serial number (1 to 12).
2. Each year has 12 regular months, and sometimes (every 2 or 3 years on average) a month (闰月rùnyuè), which can theoretically up position after any month regular, but generally falls between the 2nd and 9th month. It has the same number as the months preceding ordinary, but it is marked as interlayer.
3. If twelve months between two successive occurrences of the eleventh month, one of these twelve months must be an intercalary months, and is the first of these twelve months during which the sun remains in the same zodiac sign.
4. Monthly tabs are arranged so that between the sun still in the constellation of Capricorn during the eleventh month of the regular year, which was once the first and has remained astrology. The winter solstice is therefore still the 11th month.
5. The official time of the astronomical new moon and the sun in a zodiac sign is the local time of the observatory of Purple Mountain (紫金山天文台Zǐjīnshān Tiānwéntái) in Nanjing.
By following this system, the New Year falls between January 21 and February 21 (inclusive). This schedule meets the requirements of agricultural purely solar calendar (see jieqi) vis-à-vis the date of Chinese New Year, except in very rare occasions, this is the case in 2033.
96.6% during the month the sun enters a new zodiac sign. Cases a year with no intercalary months:
Name months Longitude Sign of the Zodiac
1正月Zhengyu 330 ° Pisces
2二月èryuè 0 ° Aries
Sanyu三月3 ° 30 Taurus
Sìyuè四月4 ° 60 Gemini
5 ° 90五月wǔyuè Cancer
6六月liùyuè 120 ° Lion
7七月Qiyue 150 ° Virgin
8八月Bayu balance 180 °
9九月jiǔyuè 210 ° Scorpio
10十月Shiyu 240 ° Sagittarius
11十一月shíyīyuè 270 ° Capricorn
12十二月shí'èryuè 300 ° Aquarius
The Chinese and Gregorian calendars are in sync every 19 years. Most Chinese notice that their Chinese and Western birthdays often fall on the same day for their 19th, 38th [...] birthday.
The agricultural calendar and Jieqi
The sun along the ecliptic is the subject long ago the attention of farmers. It forms the basis of the agricultural calendar which divides the year into 24 periods called alternatively jie (节) "node" and qi (气) "breath". They are generally named jieqi (节气). Each represents the movement of the sun of 15 degrees along the ecliptic, ie about 15 days. This system is entirely solar, it has a fairly regular correspondence with the Gregorian calendar. The periods have names referring to the changes in the nature or farming activities of the moment.
Although the agricultural calendar does not directly take into account the movements of the moon, the life of the peasants was also marked by traditional festivities, including the date depends, however, the lunisolar calendar. The reference for the beginning of the year was the period known Lichun, the Chinese New Year is normally the day of the new moon that falls during this period or is the closest.
In popular tradition the months often had names. One of those first months, Zhengyu (正月), "month rule" is still used; Dongyue (冬月) " 'winter months' and layue (腊月), named after a sacrifice, referring respectively the 11th and 12th months in northern China, are no longer employees but are found in proverbs and literature. In regions with abundant agricultural produce, each month the name of a fruit.
Table Jieqi
Chinese name Occurrence in the Gregorian calendar Note literal meaning
立春(Lichun) February 4 February 18 ~ early spring
雨水(yǔshuǐ) February 19 ~ March 4 indicates more rain water than snow
惊蛰(Jingzhi) March 5 ~ March 20 réveil insects indicates that animals and insects are waking up from hibernation
春分(chūnfēn) March 21 ~ April 4 spring equinox
清明(Qingming) 5 April ~ April 19 bright and clear when dealing with graves
谷雨(gǔyǔ) April 20 ~ May 5 rain for grain indicates that the rain will help the growth of grain
立夏lixia May 6 ~ May 20 start of the summer
小满xiǎmǎn May 21 ~ June 5 small roundness indicates the roundness of the grains
芒种mángzhòng June 6 ~ June 20 grain spike indicates that the grain of corn (use botany)
夏至xiàzhì June 21 ~ July 6 Summer Solstice
小暑xiǎoshǔ ~ 7 July 22 July heat light
大暑dàshǔ July 23 ~ August 6 Primary heat
立秋lìqiū August 7 ~ August 22 start of the fall
处暑chùshǔ August 23 ~ September 7 arrest of heat
白露báilù September 8 ~ 22 white dew September humidity condenses into dew white
秋分qiūfēn September 23 ~ October 7 autumn equinox
寒露hánlù October 8 ~ October 22 cold dew
霜降Shuangjiang October 23 ~ November 6 possible decrease of freezing temperature and frost occurrence
Lidong立冬November 7 ~ 21 November early winter
小雪xiǎoxuě November 22 ~ December 7 low snow
大雪daxue 21 ~ December 7 December snow important
冬至Dongzhi December 22 ~ January 5 Winter Solstice
小寒xiǎohán 6 ~ January 19 January cold low
Dahan大寒January 20 ~ February 3 very cold
The above dates are approximate and may vary slightly from year to year. Chinese New Year is usually the day of the new moon nearest Lichun.
Song Jieqi
It is used to simplify the storage of Jiéqì. "节气歌" "Jiéqìgē"
春雨惊春清谷天yǔ chun chun qing jing gǔtiān,
夏满芒夏暑相连mǎn máng xia xia shǔ Xianglian,
秋处露秋寒霜降qiu qiu chù Lù Hán shuang xiang,
冬雪雪冬小大寒xue xue dong dong da han xiǎo.
Numbering of years
There are different systems for naming years. The oldest, which was mainly used to count the days before the Han, combines two sets of signs: the 10 heavenly stems (天干tiāngān) and 12 terrestrial branches (地支dìzhī). Each year is named by a pair stem-branch (干支Ganzha). The heavenly stems are associated with Yin and Yang (阴阳Yinyang) and the five elements (五行wǔxíng). Each branch is associated with an animal.
The large cycle formed by the combination of the two rounds last sixty years (the lowest common multiple of 10 and 12) and is called in Chinese jiǎzǐ (甲子), name of first grade. "Jiǎzǐ" is a metaphor to mean a lifetime; in Japan where the system was used Jiazi past, the anniversary of sixty years kanreki called "completion of the calendar."
The months, days and hours may also be written using the heavenly stems and branches land, but they are usually reported using the Chinese numbering. Together the four stems and four branches are the eight characters (八字bāzi) used in Chinese astrology.
Besides the year of Chinese calendar lunisolar called nian (年), a period that links two Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) consecutive, there is a solar year (岁SUI) which spans from the beginning Spring (Lichun立春) to the following (see Jiéqì). The dates of traditional festivals are listed in the luni-solar years. Some astrologers argue that the change of Jiazi, so animal-sign, must be made at the beginning of the solar year and not the Chinese New Year as is usual.
This cycle of 60 years is inadequate for the historical references. For the imperial and feudal periods, the reigns given in principle by the posthumous name of the sovereign (Nian Hao), or eras (division rule), followed by the number of years. For example康熙壬寅(Kangxi rényín) (1662) is the first壬寅(rényín) year of the reign of康熙(Kangxi), which was the only emperor to reign over 60 years.
Twelve animals
These are, in order, the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, the rooster (his pronunciation, ji, is the same as "luck") , dog and pig.
There was no difference between being the first animal or the last to be reached, because it's not a competition but rather an invitation to better know and better understand others.
It is important to clarify that Astrology does not compare people to animals and vice versa.
Indeed, this Astrologie people have too much respect for treating pig or rat, like the Egyptians, Asian Astrology is based on some characteristics of animals to make some sort of deities and not make fun of them .
The legend tells that the first Buddha invited all the animals at New Year's Eve in order to communicate their observations.
12 animals went to this appointment, first arrived on passionné Rat or Mouse, and then determined the Beef or Buffalo, and the brave Tiger, then Lievre homebody or Rabbit or chatting and then unifying the Dragon or lizard, and the frivolous Snake, Horse and free, and then spend the goat or sheep or goat, then Acrobat Monkey, then the French Rooster or Phénix then, the dog and then justiciary generous Pig or Boar or Pig or Ours.
For animals that have different names, the reason is that almost all of Asia took this legend, each country adapting Petfinder by its fauna countries (China, Vietnam, Japan, etc ...).
Buddha said: "To thank you all for coming this eve, from this year, each of you will receive favors not the year of his animals but of the Favorable Year Animals Compatibles his triangle and each year according to the Animal has the characteristics of the animal from which came the year.
Thus, each of which has Pets Pets him that they were compatible and their bad years and bad depending on the item / agent of the year of birth of each of 12 animals.
Twelve animals were thus live a serene life without suffering as Triangle Lotus Buddha.
The Rat and Mouse began years ago in 2697 BC (Jesus Christ is born in a Year of the Monkey), this round of Animals.
Holidays
Name Date Name Chinese French Activities 2003 2004 2005
months 1 day 1 Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)春节Chunji meeting family and important celebrations January 1 February 22 February 9
1 months 15 days Lantern Festival元宵节yuánxiāojié torchlight, consumption yuánxiāo February 15 February 23 February 5
3 months 10 days Qing Ming Jie清明节qīngmíngjié and cleaning visit family graves April 5
5 months 5 days Dragon Boat Festival端午节duānwǔjié Dragon Boat Races and consumption Zongze 4 June 22 June 11 June
7 days 7 months Qi Qiao Jie (day of Saint Valentine Chinese)乞巧节qǐqiǎojié The girls are showing their skills home and pray for a good marriage 4 August 22 August 11 August
7 months 15 days中元节Ghost Festival zhōngyuánjié ceremonies and offerings to the wandering souls August 12 August 30 August 19
8 months 15 days holiday from mid-autumn (Moon Festival)中秋节zhōngqiūjié Meeting Family and Consumer moon cakes 11 September 28 September 18 September
9 months 9 days Day double nine (chrysanthemum festival)重阳节zhòngyángjié excursion in the mountains and visiting exhibitions floral 4 October 22 October 11 October
Chinese calendar
The lunar calendar
The Chinese calendar as that of many other civilizations is originally a lunar calendar. Ie it takes into account the progress of two major regulators of nature, sun and moon, and is based mainly on rules astronomical: the lunar.
Each month of a lunar year, twelve months long, begins with a new moon and lasts for twenty-nine to thirty days. The months have no particular designation, they are designated numerically according to their order of appearance in time. Some months, however, as they include twenty-nine or thirty days, are called "little month" or "long months".
The twelve lunar months a total of three hundred fifty-four days, with neither eleven days to coincide with the solar year.
The Chinese calendar
The Chinese solution was to insert an extra month every two to three years, which would be announced by the almanac. This month is not inserted at the end of the lunar year, ie it is not a thirteenth month properly appointed. It is interposed between two other months, so there are two sixth month, two thirds or so months. In this way the winter solstice always falls in the eleventh month, the spring equinox in the second, the summer solstice in the fifth and the autumn equinox in the eighth. For astrological considerations, the system can not apply intercalation between the twelfth and first months or in a period during which the sun passes from one zodiac sign to another. It follows a lunar calendar with the first day of the year fluctuates from year to year.
Fixing dates
Before the calendar reform in 104 BC, some dynasties established themselves on the day of New Year as the determination of the calendar has always been a royal prerogative, jealously guarded, which sometimes have political implications. Under the Zhou (1122 BC. AD-256 AD.) It fell to the eleventh month, however, that other vassal states, users of different schedules, have set an entirely different date. Thus when the calendar reform, it was determined that the year begin on the first moon after the sun out of the last three Winter signs, the Capricorn. New Year's Day always falls between twenty-one in January and February this twelfth (according to the solar calendar).
Since that first reform, there was very little change in the calendar, until the Republic of China in 1912 finally adopted the Gregorian calendar. At the same time, it was decided to give the New Year celebration called the "spring", to differentiate the Western New Year with Chinese New Year, since its date of celebration remains the lunar New Year, which opens precisely the spring season
The Chinese calendar as that of many other civilizations is originally a lunar calendar. Ie it takes into account the progress of two major regulators of nature, sun and moon, and is based mainly on rules astronomical: the lunar.
Each month of a lunar year, twelve months long, begins with a new moon and lasts for twenty-nine to thirty days. The months have no particular designation, they are designated numerically according to their order of appearance in time. Some months, however, as they include twenty-nine or thirty days, are called "little month" or "long months".
The twelve lunar months a total of three hundred fifty-four days, with neither eleven days to coincide with the solar year.
The Chinese calendar
The Chinese solution was to insert an extra month every two to three years, which would be announced by the almanac. This month is not inserted at the end of the lunar year, ie it is not a thirteenth month properly appointed. It is interposed between two other months, so there are two sixth month, two thirds or so months. In this way the winter solstice always falls in the eleventh month, the spring equinox in the second, the summer solstice in the fifth and the autumn equinox in the eighth. For astrological considerations, the system can not apply intercalation between the twelfth and first months or in a period during which the sun passes from one zodiac sign to another. It follows a lunar calendar with the first day of the year fluctuates from year to year.
Fixing dates
Before the calendar reform in 104 BC, some dynasties established themselves on the day of New Year as the determination of the calendar has always been a royal prerogative, jealously guarded, which sometimes have political implications. Under the Zhou (1122 BC. AD-256 AD.) It fell to the eleventh month, however, that other vassal states, users of different schedules, have set an entirely different date. Thus when the calendar reform, it was determined that the year begin on the first moon after the sun out of the last three Winter signs, the Capricorn. New Year's Day always falls between twenty-one in January and February this twelfth (according to the solar calendar).
Since that first reform, there was very little change in the calendar, until the Republic of China in 1912 finally adopted the Gregorian calendar. At the same time, it was decided to give the New Year celebration called the "spring", to differentiate the Western New Year with Chinese New Year, since its date of celebration remains the lunar New Year, which opens precisely the spring season
Chinese wedding
What is the gift of traditional Chinese marriage ... In fact, there are three answers to this question.
It is the first gift that the groom's family to address the family of the bride. Then there are the gifts that the guests offer married. And finally, there are these that offer the bride and groom to their guests at the wedding.
Once the terms of the marriage debate, and the compatibility of the respective dates of birth confirmed by a dessert, the family of the young man address the present to the family of the bride. There is usually money, jewelry, cakes, delicatessen, wines and liqueurs. Gifts are sent over a period of several days, and in the Chinese tradition, they must be used to worship ancestors.
The gifts of the guests for the bride and groom are not as sophisticated. They are usually red envelopes containing cash.
In turn, the bride and groom offer small presents to their guests: Chinese biscuit, little pots of lavender, tea cups porcelain, small silk pouches filled with jasmine tea, bean shoots magical custom, confectionery, oil lamps, pots pourri, and many other small gifts, appreciated by the guests.
No respect, gifts are generally not open to the guests.
It is the first gift that the groom's family to address the family of the bride. Then there are the gifts that the guests offer married. And finally, there are these that offer the bride and groom to their guests at the wedding.
Once the terms of the marriage debate, and the compatibility of the respective dates of birth confirmed by a dessert, the family of the young man address the present to the family of the bride. There is usually money, jewelry, cakes, delicatessen, wines and liqueurs. Gifts are sent over a period of several days, and in the Chinese tradition, they must be used to worship ancestors.
The gifts of the guests for the bride and groom are not as sophisticated. They are usually red envelopes containing cash.
In turn, the bride and groom offer small presents to their guests: Chinese biscuit, little pots of lavender, tea cups porcelain, small silk pouches filled with jasmine tea, bean shoots magical custom, confectionery, oil lamps, pots pourri, and many other small gifts, appreciated by the guests.
No respect, gifts are generally not open to the guests.
Chinese abacus
The abacus is an abacus (calculating tool) consists of a rectangular frame fitted with rods on which balls slide.
The abacus is linked to the system of decimal numeration each ball, according to the stem on which it is a unity, a dozen, a hundred ... bouliers Some include special balls worth 5 units, 5 tens, 5 hundreds ...
The bouliers used to perform calculations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division. In expert hands, it is possible to perform other operations such calculations nth roots or conversion to different bases.
There are several types:
* The Chinese abacus or suan pan. It is used in China for over 8 centuries. There are an illustration on a book dating from the twelfth century. On each stem, there are 5 balls for a unit and 2 scoops of 5 units, separated by a central bar.
* The Japanese Soroban abacus. In Japan it appears to the fourteenth century probably imported from China. He gradually lost, compared to the Chinese abacus, two balls (a ball of value 1 and a ball of value 5).
* The Russian abacus or stchoty (Счёты), also used in some Iranian as Chorèbe and Turkey under the name coulba is composed of stems 10 balls worth 1
* The abacus-counter use French in French schools until the eighteenth century, probably variant of the Russian instrument.
It is remarkable in the era of the electronic calculator, the great importance that it retains computing across Asia. It is not uncommon to see Russian or Asian traders make a calculation with a calculator and check the results using the abacus. In expert hands, it is tremendously efficient. In 1945, a match between an accountant with a Japanese Soroban operator and a power calculator (Matsuzaki against Woods) was won by the soroban by a score of 4 to 1.
Playing a number
Each column is from the right, units, tens, hundreds etc.. The 5 balls below each worth 1 and 2 balls on top of the bar are worth 5 each.
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