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Chinese calendar
Chinese calendar may refer to any of the official and civil calendars used in China and some neighbouring countries in different periods of history; however, the phrase is generally synonymous with Han calendar.
The official calendar in China today is the Gregorian calendar, which is a solar calendar. It is used for public and business affairs.
The civil calendar in much of China is the Han calendar, which is a lunisolar calendar. It is used for selecting the day of a wedding or funeral, for opening a venture, or a relocation. A similar calendar is used in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam for these purposes. Muslims living in Xinjiang, Ningxia and other parts of northern China use the Islamic calendar, which is a mean moon lunar calendar, as their civil calendar. The civil calendar for Tibet is the Tibetan calendar, which is a lunisolar calendar. The civil calendar for Miao is the Miao calendar, which is a solar calendar.
In China, some public holidays relate to the Gregorian calendar, such as Labor Day and National Day while others relate to the Chinese Calendar, such as Chinese New Year, Duanwu Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. In specified provinces(Autonomous~) of China, some extra public holidays related to Islamic calendar or Tibetan calendar, such as Islamic New Year and the Major Festival in Ningxia and Xinjiang, Tibetan New Year and Summer Assembly in Tibet.
The Han calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which indicates both the moon phases and the solar terms. In Han calendar, a year usually begins on the second dark moon after the winter solstice but occasionally on the third dark moon after the winter solstice.
The year from January 31, 2014 to February 18, 2015 is a Wǔnián or Mǎnián (Year of the Horse).
- 1 Early Chinese calendars
- 2 Ancient Han calendar
- 3 Modern Han Calendar
- 4 Structure of Han calendar
- 5 Gregorian reform
- 6 Relevance of the calendar today
- 7 Influence of Han calendar
- 8 Tibetan calendar
- 9 Miao calendar
- 10 Ancient Yi calendars
- 11 Chinese-Uighur calendar
- 12 See also
- 13 References
- 14 External links
Early Chinese calendars[edit]
It is found on the oracle bones of the Shang Dynasty (late 2nd millennium BC), which seem to describe a lunisolar year of 12 months, with a possible intercalary 13th, or even 14th, added empirically to prevent calendar drift. The Sexagenary cycle for recording days was already in use. Tradition holds that, in that era, the year began on the first new moon after the winter solstice.
Early Eastern Zhou texts, such as the Spring and Autumn Annals, provide better understanding of the calendars used in the Zhou dynasty. One year usually had 12 months, which were alternately 29 and 30 days long (with an additional day added from time to time, to catch up with "drifts" between the calendar and the actual moon cycle), and intercalary months were added in an arbitrary fashion at the end of the year.
These arbitrary rules on day and month intercalation caused the calendars of each state to be slightly different, at times. Thus, texts like the Annals will often state whether the calendar they use (the calendar of Lu) is in phase with the Royal calendar (used by the Zhou kings).
Although tradition holds that in the Zhou, the year began on the new moon which preceded the winter solstice, the Spring and Autumn Annals seem to indicate that (in Lu at least) the Yin calendar (the calendar used in Shang dynasty, with years beginning on the first new moon after the winter solstice) was in use until the middle of the 7th century, and that the beginning of the year was shifted back one month around 650 BC.
By the beginning of the Warring States, progress in astronomy and mathematics allowed the creation of calculated calendars (where intercalary months and days are set by a rule, and not arbitrarily). The sìfēn 四分 (quarter remainder) calendar, which began about 484 BC, was the first calculated Chinese calendar, so named because it used a solar year of 365¼ days (the same as the 1st-century BC Julian Calendar of Rome), along with a 19-year (235-month) Rule Cycle zhang 章, known in the West as the Metonic cycle.[1] The year began on the new moon preceding the winter solstice, and intercalary months were inserted at the end of the year.
In 256 BC, as the last Zhou king ceded his territory to Qin, a new calendar (the Qin calendar) began to be used. It followed the same principles as the Sifen calendar, except that the year began at Shíyuèshuò (十月朔, the closest new moon of the winter beginning). The Qin calendar was used during the Qin dynasty, and in the beginning of the Western Han dynasty. According to the Han Shu 21a, 973, for the moment of unification the Middle kingdoms had 6 different calendars: those of the mythological progenitors Yellow Emperor (黄帝曆) and Zhuanxu (顓頊曆); of the dynasties Xia (夏曆), Yin (殷曆), and Zhou (周曆), and of the Zhou Dynasty state of Lu (鲁曆). Of those, the second was taken to substitute the rest. The Han imperial library is said to contain 82 volumes of descriptions of all those systems (Han Shu 30, 1765-6), now mostly lost.[2]
The two oldest printed Chinese calendars are dated 877 and 882; they were found at the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Dunhuang; Patricia Ebrey writes that it is no surprise that some of the earliest printed items were calendars, since the Chinese found it necessary to calculate and mark which days were auspicious and which were not.[3][4]
Ancient Han calendar[edit]
Emperor Wu of the Western Han dynasty introduced reforms that have governed Han calendar ever since. His Tàichū (太初, "Grand Inception") calendar of 104 BC had a year with the winter solstice in the 11th month and was the first to use the system of 24 solar terms to determine intercalary months, in which calendar months (a month of 29 or 30 whole days) during which the sun does not pass a principal term (that is, remained within the same sign of the zodiac throughout) are designated as intercalary. The solar year of the Taichu calendar was defined as 365 days and the lunar month as 29 days. Because the sun's mean motion was used to calculate the solar terms until 1645, this intercalary month was equally likely to occur after any month of the year. The conjunction of the sun and moon (the astronomical new moon) was calculated using the mean motions of both the sun and moon.
- Nineteen year cycle
It was realized in the early age of Han Calendar, that 19 solar years have 235 months. So, as 235=12*19+7, there are 7 intercalary months in 19 years.
When the 1 tropical year was calculated as days, 1 synodic month was accordingly days.
Also, 76 years = 365*76+76/4 = 27759 days, and likewise 940 months = 29*940+499 = 27759 days. In other words, 76 years = 940 months, meaning that 76 years is a cycle, or in other words the sun and moon both return to their original positions after 76 years.
The 19-year-cycle was used in the "Six Early Calendars" (古六历, Gǔlìulì). And a 600 year cycle with 221 intercalary months is used in the Yuánshǐ Calendar in the Liang(N) dynasty (401-439, established in Liangzhou). And then a 391 year cycle with 144 intercalary months was used in the Dàmíng Calendar from the Ninth year of Tianjian (天监九年, 510) in the Liang Dynasty (502-557, established in Jiankang). After the Délíng Calendar of the Tang Dynasty (618-907, established in Chang'an), the calendar was made with the true new moon, the cycle could no longer be used to determine the intercalary months.
However the Gregorian date may be estimated with a 19-year cycle. The error is a day, or about a month.
Name of ancient Han calendar[edit]
The authorities give a name for each version of the Han calendar, such as: Tàichū calendar(太初历, the genesis calendar),Dàmíng calendar(大明历, the legend calendar), Huángjí calendar(皇极历, the ultimate calendar), Shòushí calendar(授时历, the time signal calendar), etc.
There're about 100 versions, so there're about 100 names for Han calendar. But, the civilians called it as Huánglì(皇历, the imperial calendar) generally.
Modern Han Calendar[edit]
True sun and moon[edit]
Though the fact of the irregularity of the lunar orbit was known in the 1st century BC, the starts of the months were calculated using the mean motions of both the sun and moon until 619, the second year of the Tang dynasty, when chronologists began to use true motions modeled using two offset opposing parabolas (with small linear and cubic components). Unfortunately, the parabolas did not meet smoothly at the mean motion, but met with a discontinuity or jump.
With the introduction of European astronomy into China via the Jesuits, the motions of both the sun and moon began to be calculated with sinusoids in the 1645 Chongzhen calendar (時憲書, Book of the Conformity of Time) of the Qing dynasty, made by the Jesuits Adam Schall and Giacomo Rho. The true motion of the sun was now used to calculate the jiéqì, which caused the intercalary month to often occur after the second through the ninth months, but rarely after the tenth through first months. A few autumn-winter periods have two or three calendar months in which the sun stays within one sign during the month (i.e. months that would normally be treated as intercalary months), interspersed with one or two calendar months in which the sun enters two signs of the zodiac during the month, something that was impossible using mean sun motion.
Standard time[edit]
Before 1929, the traditional calendar was calculated by the Central Observatory (formerly the Imperial Observatory) in Beijing using Beijing local time at a longitude of 116°25'E (UTC+7:45:40). From 1929 to 1949 it was calculated by the Institute of Astronomy in Nanjing and since 1949 by the Purple Mountain Observatory outside of Nanjing using Chinese standard time at a longitude of 120°E (UTC+8). This shifted the midnight marking the beginning of each day in both the traditional and Gregorian calendars by plus 14 minutes 20 seconds. This shift meant that any dark moon which formerly occurred just before midnight Beijing local time now occurred just after midnight Chinese standard time, causing the first day of a lunar month to occur one day later. However, unlike the official tables, most public calendars relied on the old Wannian Shu (Long-term (lit. "10,000-year") Calendar; simplified Chinese: 万年书; traditional Chinese: 萬年書) last published in 1910 using Beijing time until they were forced to adopt the official traditional calendar using Chinese standard time when the two disagreed. In 1953 public calendars placed the dark moon and the first day of a lunar month on August 9, whereas the official traditional calendar placed it on August 10, which caused public calendars in most of the People's Republic of China to use the official tables and standard time after 1953. In 1978 the dates were respectively September 2 and 3, causing public calendars in the Hong Kong and Canton areas to do the same after 1978. In 1989 the dates were August 1 and 2, which caused Taiwan to do the same after 1989.[5][6]
Name of modern Han Calendar[edit]
The first version of Modern Han calendar is called as Shíxiàn Calendar(时宪历, the time constitution), which is issued at the second year of Shùnzhì(顺治二年, 1645). But, authority called it as Hànlì(汉历, the calendar of Han), when they issue a document for general use, such as Imperial Hànlì collection by Kāngxī(《康熙御制汉历大全》)
After 1912, the Han calendar became unofficial calendar. So no authority gave a name for it. People called Han calendar as Jìulì(旧历, the former calendar), Lǎolì(老历, the traditional calendar), Yīnlì(阴历, the lunar calendar), etc.
In the public media, the Han calendar is always called as Nónglì (农历, the rural calendar).
In addition, some people appeal to called it as Xiàlì(夏历, the calendar of Xià), for it follows the Xià's year beginning.
Xià's year beginning, also called as civil year beginning, is the nearest dark moon to the vernal beginning.
Yīn's year beginning, also called as earthly year beginning, is the first dark moon after the winter solstice.
Zhōu's year beginning, also called as heavenly year beginning, is the last dark moon before the winter solstice.
Structure of Han calendar[edit]
Day (Rì, 日)[edit]
A day in the Chinese calendar runs from midnight to midnight, as in the Gregorian calendar. Currently, midnight is based on Chinese Standard Time, the mean solar time at longitude 120° east (equivalent to UTC+08).
Subdivisions of a day[edit]
In modern Chinese, the day is divided according to the Western hour-minute-second system, but the older standards are still used in some instances.
Range of | 1 kè am | 2 kè am | 3 kè am | 4 kè am | kè rm | 1 kè pm | 2 kè pm | 3 kè pm | 4 kè pm | |
Mǎoshí | 05:00-07:00 | 05:02:24 | 05:16:48 | 05:31:12 | 05:45:36 | 06:00:00 | 06:14:24 | 06:28:48 | 06:43:12 | 06:57:36 |
Chénshí | 07:00-09:00 | 07:12:00 | 07:26:24 | 07:40:48 | 07:55:12 | 08:09:36 | 08:24:00 | 08:38:24 | 08:52:48 | |
Sìshí | 09:00-11:00 | 09:07:12 | 09:21:36 | 09:36:00 | 09:50:24 | 10:04:48 | 10:19:12 | 10:33:36 | 10:48:00 | |
Wǔshí | 11:00-13:00 | 11:02:24 | 11:16:48 | 11:31:12 | 11:45:36 | 12:00:00 | 12:14:24 | 12:28:48 | 12:43:12 | 12:57:36 |
Wèishí | 13:00-15:00 | 13:12:00 | 13:26:24 | 13:40:48 | 13:55:12 | 14:09:36 | 14:24:00 | 14:38:24 | 14:52:48 | |
Shēnshí | 15:00-17:00 | 15:07:12 | 15:21:36 | 15:36:00 | 15:50:24 | 16:04:48 | 16:19:12 | 16:33:36 | 16:48:00 | |
Yǒushí | 17:00-19:00 | 17:02:24 | 17:16:48 | 17:31:12 | 17:45:36 | 18:00:00 | 18:14:24 | 18:28:48 | 18:43:12 | 18:57:36 |
Xūshí | 19:00-21:00 | 19:12:00 | 19:26:24 | 19:40:48 | 19:55:12 | 20:09:36 | 20:24:00 | 20:38:24 | 20:52:48 | |
Hàishí | 21:00-23:00 | 21:07:12 | 21:21:36 | 21:36:00 | 21:50:24 | 22:04:48 | 22:19:12 | 22:33:36 | 22:48:00 | |
Zǐshí | 23:00-01:00 | 23:02:24 | 23:16:48 | 23:31:12 | 23:45:36 | 00:00:00 | 00:14:24 | 00:28:48 | 00:43:12 | 00:57:36 |
Chǒushí | 01:00-03:00 | 01:12:00 | 01:26:24 | 01:40:48 | 01:55:12 | 02:09:36 | 02:24:00 | 02:38:24 | 02:52:48 | |
Yínshí | 03:00-05:00 | 03:07:12 | 03:21:36 | 03:36:00 | 03:50:24 | 04:04:48 | 04:19:12 | 04:33:36 | 04:48:00 |
- shí-kè system
A day is divided into 12 shí (时/時, dual hour). The shí are named according to the Earthly Branches.
The halfway point of each shí is zhèng (正, mid-), for example, midday is called zhèngwǔshí (正午时/正午時, mid-wǔshí). The first hour of each shí is called as chū (初, ante mid-); and the second hour of each shí is called as zhèng (正, post mid-).
For the purposes of calculating the calendar, a day starts at midnight (zhèngzǐshí, 正子时/正子時), but people tend to regard a day as starting at from dawn (during yínshí).
A day is divided into 100 units as well. The boundaries of theses units are called kè (刻, scale). The units are called as kè (刻, centiday) too, although the terminology is ambiguous.
Shí is equivalent to 2 hours or 120 minutes. And kè (centiday) is equivalent to 14.4 minutes. So each shí can't be divided into several whole kè (centidays), although efforts had been made to redefine the kè. Currently, the word kè is used to denote a quarter of an hour.
The kè is always joined to shí, for example, in Chapter 6, Volume 1, The Illustrated Wings of the Classified Canon (类经图翼, 第一卷, 第六章)
At the winter solstice, which is the 11th primary solar term, the sun moves to the 4th degree of the Jī-mansion. The sunrise is 1 kè am of Chénshí, and the sunset is 4 kè pm of Shēnshí. so the day is 41 kès, and the night is 59 kès (冬至十一月中,日躔箕四度,出辰初初刻,入申正四刻,昼长四十一刻,夜长五十九刻。)
- gēng-diǎn system
In another subdivision system, there're 10 gēng (更, watch) or gǔ(鼓,drum) in a day. The 5 gēng in the night are named according to Heavenly Stems (Jiǎ, Yǐ, Bǐng, Dīng, Wù) at first, and use ordinal name (Yīgēng, Èrgēng, Sāngēng, Sìgēng, Wǔgēng) later. The names of 5 gǔ in the day are Zhāo (朝, morning), Yú (禺, forenoon), Zhōng (中, noon), Bū (晡, afternoon), Xī (夕, evening).
There was a night watch system (called dǎgēng 打更, referring to the striking of gongs or clappers) corresponding to the 5 gēng in the night, so that the time between two watches is a deciday.
There are five diǎn (点/點, check points) between two night watches. The time between two points is also called diǎn (点/點, one sixtieth day), and it's 24 minutes.
The diǎn (point) is always joined to gēng (watch), for example, in Section 4, Military Records, History of the Yuán Dynasty (元史·兵志四)
The curfew rule: after yīgēng sāndiǎn(20:24) when the bell tone stopped, walking is forbidden; after wǔgēng sāndiǎn (06:00) when the bell tone rang, walking is allowed. (其夜禁之法,一更三点,钟声绝,禁人行;五更三点,钟声动,听人行。")
Yīgēng 19:12; Yīgēng yīdiǎn 19:36; Yīgēng èrdiǎn 20:00; Yīgēng sāndiǎn 20:24; Yīgēng sìdiǎn 20:48; Yīgēng wǔdiǎn 21:12 Èrgēng 21:36; Èrgēng yīdiǎn 22:00; Èrgēng èrdiǎn 22:24; Èrgēng sāndiǎn 22:48; Èrgēng sìdiǎn 23:12; Èrgēng wǔdiǎn 23:48 Sāngēng 00:00; Sāngēng yīdiǎn 00:24; Sāngēng èrdiǎn 00:48; Sāngēng sāndiǎn 01:12; Sāngēng sìdiǎn 01:36; Sāngēng wǔdiǎn 02:00 Sìgēng 02:24; Sìgēng yīdiǎn 02:48; Sìgēng èrdiǎn 03:12; Sìgēng sāndiǎn 03:36; Sìgēng sìdiǎn 04:00; Sìgēng wǔdiǎn 04:24 Wǔgēng 04:48; Wǔgēng yīdiǎn 05:12; Wǔgēng èrdiǎn 05:36; Wǔgēng sāndiǎn 06:00; Wǔgēng sìdiǎn 06:24; Wǔgēng wǔdiǎn 06:48 Zhāogǔ 07:12; Zhāogǔ yīdiǎn 07:36; Zhāogǔ èrdiǎn 08:00; Zhāogǔ sāndiǎn 08:24; Zhāogǔ sìdiǎn 08:48; Zhāogǔ wǔdiǎn 09:12 Yúgǔ 09:36; Yúgǔ yīdiǎn 10:00; Yúgǔ èrdiǎn 10:24; Yúgǔ sāndiǎn 10:48; Yúgǔ sìdiǎn 11:12; Yúgǔ wǔdiǎn 11:36 Zhōnggǔ 12:00; Zhōnggǔ yīdiǎn 12:24; Zhōnggǔ èrdiǎn 12:48; Zhōnggǔ sāndiǎn 13:12; Zhōnggǔ sìdiǎn 13:36; Zhōnggǔ wǔdiǎn 14:00 Būgǔ 14:24; Būgǔ yīdiǎn 14:48; Būgǔ èrdiǎn 15:12; Būgǔ sāndiǎn 15:36; Būgǔ sìdiǎn 16:00; Būgǔ wǔdiǎn 16:24 Xīgǔ 16:48; Xīgǔ yīdiǎn 17:12; Xīgǔ èrdiǎn 17:36; Xīgǔ sāndiǎn 18:00; Xīgǔ sìdiǎn 18:24; Xīgǔ wǔdiǎn 18:48
The time between two points are divided into 100 fēns (分,cents).
1 shí = 120 minutes; 1 kè = 14.4 minutes; 1 diǎn = 24 minutes; 1 fēn = 1.44 seconds 1 shí = 8⅓ kès = 500 fēns; 1 kè = 60 fēns; 1 diǎn = 100 fēns;
Days are grouped within several kinds of weeks.
- Luminaries week (Xīngqī/Qīyào, 星期/七曜)
The days are grouped within a 7-days week, which is called a Luminary week (Xīngqī/Qī-yào, 星期/七曜). The name of the weekdays are Sun-day (Rìyào, 日曜), Moon-day (Yuèyào, 月曜), Mars-day (Huǒyào, 火曜), Mercury-day (Shuǐyào, 水曜), Jupiter-day (Mùyào, 木曜), Venus-day (Jīnyào, 金曜), and Saturn-day (Tǔyào, 土曜).
In modern China, the names are identified by ordinal numbers, such as: Xīngqīyī (星期一, First-day), Xīngqīèr (星期二, Second-day), Xīngqīsān (星期三, Third-day), Xīngqīsì (星期四, Fourth-day), Xīngqīwǔ (星期五, Fifth-day), Xīngqīlìu (星期六, Sixth-day). The exception is Sunday, which is known as Xīngqīrì (星期日, Sunday).
31 January 2013 is Xīngqīsì (Thursday).
Each 4 weeks are grouped within a 28-days week. the week days of a 28-days week are marked with Èrshíbāxìu (二十八宿值日). For example, 31 January 2014 is Níujīnníu (牛金牛).
Jiǎomùjiāo角木蛟 | Kàngjīnlóng亢金龙 | Dǐtǔhé 氐土貉 | Fángrìtù 房日兔 | Xīnyuèhú 心月狐 | Wěihuǒhǔ 尾火虎 | Jīshuǐbào 箕水豹 Dǒumùxiè 斗木獬 | Níujīnníu 牛金牛 | Nǚtǔfú 女土蝠 | Xūrìshǔ虚日鼠 | Wēiyuèyàn危月燕 | Shìhuǒzhū室火猪 | Bìshuǐyǔ 壁水貐 Kuímùláng奎木狼 | Lóujīngǒu 娄金狗 | Wèitǔzhì 胃土雉 | Ángrìjī 昴日鸡 | Bìyuèwū 毕月乌 | Zīhuǒhóu觜火猴 | Shēnshuǐyuán参水猿 Jǐngmùhān 井木犴 | Guǐjīnyáng鬼金羊 | Lǐutǔzhāng柳土獐 | Xīngrìmǎ 星日马 | Zhāngyuèlù 张月鹿 | Yìhuǒshé翼火蛇 | Zhěnshuǐyǐn 轸水蚓
- Heavenly Stems week
The days are grouped within a 10-days week, and is called Heavenly stems. The names of the weekdays are Jiǎrì, Yǐrì, Bǐngrì, Dīngrì, Wùrì, Jǐrì, Gēngrì, Xīnrì, Rénrì, and Guìrì.
31 January 2013 is Dīngrì.
Some tradition holiday is established according to Heavenly Stems week. Such as the Spring/Autumn Assembly (Chūnshè/Qīushè, 春社/秋社) is the fifth Wùrì after the Vernal Begins/Autumn Begins.
- Earthly Branches week
The days are grouped within a 12-days week, which are called Earthly Branches. The names of the weekdays are Zǐrì, Chǒurì, Yínrì, Mǎorì, Chénrì, Sìrì, Wǔrì, Wèirì, Shēnrì, Yǒurì, Xūrì, and Hàirì.
31 January 2013 is Yǒurì.
Some traditional holidays are established according to Earthly Branches week at first. Such as the Shàngsì Festival (上巳节) is the first Sìrì in Sānyuè, and the Duānwǔ Festival (端午节) is the first Wǔrì in Wǔyuè at first. These festivals are moved to the fixed calendar later. The Shàngsì Festival is fixed to Sānyuè 3rd, and the Duānwǔ Festival is fixed to Wǔyuè 5th.
- Stem-branches week
Jiǎzǐ | Yǐchǒu | Bǐngyín | Dīngmǎo | Wùchén | Jǐsì | Gēngwǔ | Xīnwèi | Rénshēn | Guìyǒu | Jiǎxū | Yǐhài |
Bǐngzǐ | Dīngchǒu | Wùyín | Jǐmǎo | Gēngchén | Xīnsì | Rénwǔ | Guìwèi | Jiǎshēn | Yǐyǒu | Bǐngxū | Dīnghài |
Wùzǐ | Jǐchǒu | Gēngyín | Xīnmǎo | Rénchén | Guìsì | Jiǎwǔ | Yǐwèi | Bǐngshēn | Dīngyǒu | Wùxū | Jǐhài |
Gēngzǐ | Xīnchǒu | Rényín | Guìmǎo | Jiǎchén | Yǐsì | Bǐngwǔ | Dīngwèi | Wùshēn | Jǐyǒu | Gēngxū | Xīnhài |
Rénzǐ | Guìchǒu | Jiǎyín | Yǐmǎo | Bǐngchén | Dīngsì | Wùwǔ | Jǐwèi | Gēngshēn | Xīnyǒu | Rénxū | Guìhài |
The Heavenly stems and Earthly Branches run together and, when combined, make a 60-day week which is called stem-branches week.
31 January 2013 is Dīngyǒurì.
The earliest evidence of stem-branches week was found on oracle bones dated c. 1350 BC in the Shang Dynasty. The stem-branches week continues to this day, and can still be found on Chinese calendars today.
Although the stem-branches week cannot decide the actual date alone in historical events, it can locate the accurate date along with context and other statement about time, and the difference between versions of the calendar may be neglected. For this reason, the stem-branches week is always used to mark date in the annals. Such as:
Chronicle of Pope Rén, History of Sung Dynasty (宋史·仁宗本纪)
In the Bǐngyínrì of vernal Zhēngyuè in the first year of Tiānshèng, which is the first day of the month, changed the era name; ...(天聖元年春正月丙寅朔,改元;………)
In the Wùxūrì of Èryuè, accepted the rule of Gusiluo's annual tribute; in Dīngsìrì, established the portrait of Grand Chris and Grand Pope at Hóngqìng Palace of the Southern Capital (Suiyang); lunched the Monopolizing-Tea-Discount Law at the 13 tea plantations of Huáinán (二月戊戌,許唃厮啰歲一入貢;丁巳,奉安太祖、太宗禦容於南京鴻慶宫;行淮南十三山場貼射茶法)
In the Jiǎxūrì of Sānyuè, established the portrait of Pope Zhēn at Yìngtiān Temple of the Western Capital (Loyang); ...; in the Xīnmǎorì, the Imperial Astronomer present the Chóngtiān Calendar for the approval to issue; ...(三月甲戌,奉安真宗禦容于西京應天院;……;辛卯,司天监上崇天曆; ……)
Lunar phase and lunar month (Yuè, 月)[edit]
Lunar phase refers to the shape of the illuminated (sunlit) portion of the Moon as seen by an observer on Earth. The lunar phases corresponds to the celestial longitude difference of the moon and sun. The celestial longitude difference is cyclic variation from 0° to 360°. The principal lunar phases are new moon (0° celestial longitude difference), first quarter moon (90° celestial longitude difference), full moon (180° celestial longitude difference) and last quarter moon (270° celestial longitude difference).
In Han calendar, A lunar month is corresponds to a variation cycle (0°-360°) of the celestial longitude difference. So, the month in Han calendar starts on the day of a new moon (i.e. the astronomical new moon, not the crescent new moon) and ends the day before the next one.
Synodic month(29.48 days) 2013-01-12 03:43:36 ~ 2013-02-10 15:20:06 + New moon day 2013-01-12 00:00:00 ~ 2013-01-13 00:00:00 - Next new moon day 2013-02-10 00:00:00 ~ 2013-02-11 00:00:00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The month(29 days) 2013-01-12 00:00:00 ~ 2013-02-10 00:00:00
Synodic month(29.52 days) 2013-02-10 15:20:06 ~ 2013-03-12 03:51:00 + New moon day 2013-02-10 00:00:00 ~ 2013-02-11 00:00:00 - Next new moon day 2013-03-12 00:00:00 ~ 2013-03-13 00:00:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The month(30 days) 2013-02-10 00:00:00 ~ 2013-03-12 00:00:00
- The days in the month
The days in the month are called with two characters, such as:
Chūyī(初一) Chūèr(初二) Chūsān(初三) Chūsì(初四) Chūwǔ(初五) Chūlìu(初六) Chūqī(初七) Chūbā(初八) Chūjǐu(初九) Chūshí(初十) Shíyī(十一) Shíèr(十二) Shísān(十三) Shísì(十四) Shíwǔ(十五) Shílìu(十六) Shíqī(十七) Shíbā(十八) Shíjǐu(十九) Èrshí(二十) Niànyī(廿一) Niànèr(廿二) Niànsān(廿三) Niànsì(廿四) Niànwǔ(廿五) Niànlìu(廿六) Niànqī(廿七) Niànbā(廿八) Niànjǐu(廿九) Sānshí(三十)
In the late Qīng Dynasty, selected yùnmù (韵目, the representative character of the rhymes) are on behalf of the two date characters for telegram use. It was applied into the date in the Gregorian calendar later.
The yùnmù on behalf of date is used to mark the key historical events too. Such as:
Yàndiàn (艳电/艷電) is a telegram issued by Chao-ming Chi-hsin Wang (Wang Ching-wei, VP of Kuomintang) on December 29, 1938 and Yàn (艳/艷) is on behalf of 29th.
Wénxī Fire (文夕大火) is a conflagration on the eve of 1938-11-12 (Evening of 1938-11-12, Chángshā was going to be occupied by the enemy, municipality burnt and fielded the city), Wén (文) is on behalf of 12th and xī(夕) is on behalf of evening.
Solar year (suìcì, 岁次/歲次) and solar month (Xīngcì, 星次)[edit]
Solar Month | Solar term | Date | Longitude | Zodiac | |
Xīngjì (星纪) | SST | GS, Great Snow (Dàxuě, 大雪) | Dec 7 | 255° | Sagitarius 240-270° |
PST | WS, Winter Solstice (Dōngzhì, 冬至) | Dec 22 | 270° | Capricornus 270-300° | |
Xuánxiāo (玄枵) | SST | SC, Slight Cold (Xiǎohán, 小寒) | Jan 6 | 285° | |
PST | GC, Great Cold (Dàhán, 大寒) | Jan 20 | 300° | Aquarius 300-330° | |
Jūzī (娵訾) | SST | VB, Vernal Begins (Lìchūn, 立春) | Feb 4 | 315° | |
PST | RW, Rain Water (Yǔshuǐ, 雨水) | Feb 19 | 330° | Pisces 330-360° | |
Jiànglóu (降娄) | SST | IA, Insects Awaken (Jīnzhé, 惊蛰/驚蟄) | Mar 5 | 345° | |
PST | VE, Vernal Equinox (Chūnfēn, 春分) | Mar 20 | 360°/0° | Aries 0-30° | |
Dàliáng (大梁) | SST | CB, Clear and Bright (Qīngmíng, 清明) | Apr 5 | 15° | |
PST | GR, Grain Rain (Gǔyǔ, 谷雨/穀雨) | Apr 20 | 30° | Taurus 30-60° | |
Shíshěn (实沈) | SST | SB, Summer Begins (Lìxià, 立夏) | May 6 | 45° | |
PST | GF, Grain Full (Xiǎomǎn, 小满/小滿) | May 21 | 60° | Gemini 60-90° | |
Chúnshǒu (鹑首) | SST | GE, Grain in Ear (Mángzhǒng, 芒种/芒種) | Jun 6 | 75° | |
PST | SS, Summer Solstice (Xiàzhì, 夏至) | Jun 21 | 90° | Cancer 90-120° | |
Chúhuǒ (鹑火) | SST | SH, Slight Heat (Xiǎoshǔ, 小暑) | Jul 7 | 105° | |
PST | GH, Great Heat (Dàshǔ, 大暑) | Jul 23 | 120° | Leo 120-150° | |
Chúnwěi (鹑尾) | SST | AB, Autumn Begins (Lìqīu, 立秋) | Aug 7 | 135° | |
PST | LH, Limit of Heat (Chúshǔ, 处暑/處暑) | Aug 23 | 150° | Virgo 150-180° | |
Shòuxīng (寿星) | SST | WD, White Dew (Báilù, 白露) | Sep 8 | 165° | |
PST | AE, Autumnal Equinox (Qīufēn, 秋分) | Sep 23 | 180° | Libra 180-210° | |
Dàhuǒ (大火) | SST | CD, Cold Dew (Hánlù, 寒露) | Oct 8 | 195° | |
PST | FD, Frost's Descent (Shuāngjiàng, 霜降) | Oct 23 | 210° | Scorpio 210-240° | |
Xīmù (析木) | SST | WB, Winter Begins (Lìdōng, 立冬) | Nov 7 | 225° | |
PST | LS, Light Snow (Xiǎoxuě, 小雪) | Nov 22 | 240° | Sagitarius 240-270° |
The solar year (suì, 岁次/歲次) in Han calendar is the period between two winter solstices.
In the late Spring and Autumn Period (722–481 BC), the former Sìfēn calendar (古四分历) was established, and set the tropical year at 365.25 days, the same length as the Julian calendar which was introduced in 46 BC.[1] The Taichu calendar (太初历) of 104 BC under Emperor Wu of Han rendered the solar year at roughly the same ( ).[1]
Many other calendars were established between then and the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), including those established by Li Chunfeng (602–670) and Yi Xing (683–727).[1] In 1281, the Yuan astronomer Guo Shoujing (1233–1316) fixed the calendar at 365.2425 days, the same as the Gregorian calendar established in 1582; this calendar, the Shoushi calendar (授時曆), would be used in China for the next 363 years.[1][7] Guo Shoujing established the new calendar with the aid of his own achievements in spherical trigonometry, which he derived largely from the work of Shen Kuo (1031–1095) who established trigonometry in China.[8][9][10]
A solar year is divided into 12 solar months. The 12 solar months is decided by the 24 solar terms (Jiéqì, 节气/節氣).
- Solar terms (Jiéqì, 节气/節氣)
The 24 solar terms are 24 seasonal markers, which may assist farmers to decide when to plant or harvest crops. Each successive term corresponds to a point 15° further along the ecliptic; two terms together correspond quite closely to the Western zodiac divisions.
In ancient astronomy records, the solar position is defined with 28 mansions and 12 Xīngcì (星次). such as: In the winter solstice, the sun stays at the 5 degree of the Jī-mansion (冬至日, 日在箕五度).
The 28 mansions are 28 uneven divisions of ecliptic and 12 Xīngcì are 12 even divisions of ecliptic.
A couple of terms are associated into a solar month. The first term called as the sectional solar term (Jiéqì, 节气/節氣, node of climate) is the beginning of the solar term. The second term called as the primary solar term (Zhōngqì, 中气/中氣, center of the climate) is the center of the solar month.[11]
Usually, we use the 12 branches to mark the 12 solar months. And the period from a primary solar term to the next is associated with a Zodiac.
The 12 sectional solar terms were used by Shěn Kuò (沈括, 1031-1095) in his 12-qì calendar (12氣曆).
- Month Names (Yuèfèn, 月份)
An astronomical year is approximately 365¼ days, a period between 12 and 13 lunar months. So, to keep the pace with the astronomical year in a long term, years with 12 lunar months and years with 13 lunar months are interleaved. Generally, in each 19 years, there're 7 years which contains 13 lunar months each and 12 years which contains 12 lunar months each.
month name | Zhēngyuè | Èryuè | Sānyuè | Sìyuè | Wǔyuè | Lìuyuè | Qīyuè | Bāyuè | Jǐuyuè | Shíyuè | Shíyīyuè | Làyuè | Rùnyuè |
ordinal | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | leap over |
zodiac | Pisces | Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpios | Sagittarius | Capricorns | Aquarius | N/A |
In Han calendar, the month name are defined to keep the pace with the climatic variation generally. As the center of the climatic, the primary solar term decides the month mark(It means that the zodiac which the sun enters decides the month name). It means that the 12 lunar months fits the 12 solar months at maximum ratio.
In the other words, the month name is decided by the closest sectional primary of the first day.
For example, the table below show the information of 2014.
Month Date PST Date Zodiac Closest SST Month name(Ordinal) A 2014-01-31 ~ 2014-02-28 RW: 2014-02-19 enter Pisces VB(+05) Zhēngyuè(1st) B 2014-03-01 ~ 2014-03-30 VE: 2014-03-21 enter Aries IA(+06) Èryuè(2nd) C 2014-03-31 ~ 2014-04-28 GR: 2014-04-20 enter Taurus CB(+06) Sānyuè(3rd) D 2014-04-29 ~ 2014-05-28 GF: 2014-05-21 enter Gemini SB(+07) Sìyuè(4th) E 2014-05-29 ~ 2014-06-26 SS: 2014-06-21 enter Cancer GE(+09) Wǔyuè(5th) F 2014-06-27 ~ 2014-07-26 GH: 2014-07-23 enter Leo LH(+11) Lìuyuè(6th) G 2014-07-27 ~ 2014-08-24 LH: 2014-08-23 enter Virgo AB(+12) Qīyuè(7th) H 2014-08-25 ~ 2014-09-23 AE: 2014-09-23 enter Libra WD(+15) Bāyuè(8th) I 2014-09-24 ~ 2014-10-23 FD: 2014-10-23 enter Scorpios CD(+15) Jǐuyuè(9th) J 2014-10-24 ~ 2014-11-21 N/A CD(-15) Rùnyuè(leap over) K 2014-11-22 ~ 2014-12-21 LS: 2014-11-22 enter Sagittarius WB(-14) Shíyuè(10th) L 2014-12-22 ~ 2015-01-19 WS: 2014-12-22 enter Capricorns GS(-13) Shíyīyuè(11th) M 2015-01-20 ~ 2015-02-18 GC: 2015-01-20 enter Aquarius LC(-14) Làyuè(12th)
From Shíxiàn calendar which is release at the second year of Shùnzhì (Shùnzhì èrnián, 顺治二年/順治二年, 1645), the true sun position at ecliptic is used to define the solar term, and the length of the solar terms are uneven. In the winter, the length of the solar terms may be as low as 14.7 days. Thus, a month may contain two primary solar terms in winter. If there are months with 2 primary solar terms, exception occurred. There is about 0.4% of exception.
Thus, the formal month naming rules of Han calendar are:
1. The months with the Winter Solstice are the Shíyīyuè always.
2. The months except the intercalary month following Shíyīyuè are Làyuè, Zhēngyuè, Èryuè, Sānyuè, Sìyuè, Wǔyuè, Lìuyuè, Qīyuè, Bāyuè, Jǐuyuè, Shíyuè.
3. If there are 11 months, there is no intercalary month.
3. If there are 12 months, the first month without a primary solar term is the intercalary month.
4. The intercalary month follows the names of the month before it.
For example, the table below shows the information of 2032-2035. The months A, M and Z are the months with winter solstice. So they are Shíyīyuè. There are 11 months between A and M. So, there is no intercalary month in 2033. There are 12 months between M and Z, and N is the first month without primary term. So, N is the intercalary month. The other months are named accordingly.
Month Date PST Date Month name A 2032/12/03~12/31 WS: 2032/12/21 0 Shíyīyuè(11th) B 2033/01/01~01/30 GC: 2032/01/20 1 Làyuè(12th) C 2033/01/31~02/28 RW: 2032/02/18 2 Zhēngyuè( 1st) D 2033/03/01~03/30 VE: 2032/03/20 3 Èryuè( 2nd) E 2033/03/31~04/28 GR: 2032/04/20 4 Sānyuè( 3rd) F 2033/04/29~05/27 GF: 2032/05/21 5 Sìyuè( 4th) G 2033/05/28~06/26 SS: 2032/06/21 6 Wǔyuè( 5th) H 2033/06/27~07/25 GH: 2032/07/22 7 Lìuyuè( 6th) I 2033/07/26~08/24 LH: 2032/08/23 8 Qīyuè( 7th) J 2033/08/25~09/22 N/A 9 Bāyuè( 8th) K 2033/09/23~10/22 AE: 2032/09/23 10 Jǐuyuè( 9th) L 2033/10/23~11/21 FD: 2032/10/23 11 Shíyuè(10th) M 2033/11/22~12/21 LS: 11/22 / WS: 12/21 0 Shíyīyuè(11th) N 2033/12/22~01/19 N/A (1st month w/o PT) 1 Rùnyuè(11th, Intercalary) O 2033/01/20~02/18 GC: 01/20 / RW: 02/18 2 Làyuè(12th) P 2034/02/19~03/19 N/A (2nd month w/o PT) 3 Zhēngyuè( 1st) Q 2034/03/20~04/18 VE: 2034/03/20 4 Èryuè( 2nd) R 2034/04/19~05/17 GR: 2034/04/20 5 Sānyuè( 3rd) S 2034/05/18~06/15 GF: 2034/05/21 6 Sìyuè( 4th) T 2034/06/16~07/15 SS: 2034/06/21 7 Wǔyuè( 5th) U 2034/07/16~08/13 GH: 2034/07/23 8 Lìuyuè( 6th) V 2034/08/14~09/12 LH: 2034/08/23 9 Qīyuè( 7th) W 2034/09/13~10/11 AE: 2034/09/23 10 Bāyuè( 8th) X 2034/10/12~11/10 FD: 2034/10/23 11 Jǐuyuè( 9th) Y 2034/11/10~12/10 LS: 2034/11/22 12 Shíyuè(10th) Z 2034/12/11~01/08 WS: 2034/12/22 0 Shíyīyuè(11th)
- Calendric intercalary rule
Han calendar is worked out base on the Chinese Standard Time(UCT+8). If the calendar is checked base on the standard time of other time zone or true time of other longitude, the intercalary month may be a month with a PST. Ping-Tse Kao (高平子,Gāo, Píngzǐ,1888-1970, one of the founders of Purple Mountain Observatory) mentioned the calendric intercalary rule. If the calendar is worked out according to the calendric intercalary rule, the intercalary month is always a month without PST.
If the day of the primary solar term and the dark moon is the same day,
In calendric intercalary rule, if the PST preceded the dark moon, the PST belongs to the last month.
In civil intercalary rule, the PST always belongs to this month
For example: A synodic Month(month A) started at 2033/08/25 05:39, and next Synodic Month(month B) started at 2033/09/23 21:39. The time of PST is 09/23 00:51. The PST belongs to month A against B according to calendric intercalary rule.
Year (nián, 年)[edit]
A year starts on Zhēngyuè 1st, and always ends on the last day of Làyuè (if there is an intercalary month after Làyuè, the year will end on the last day of Rùnyuè).
There are 12 or 13 months in a year. If there are 12 months in year, there are 353, 354 or 355 days in this year. If there are 13 months in a year, there are 383, 384 or 385 days in this year. For example, the current year starts at 2012-1-23 and ends at 2013-02-09. There are 13 months or 384 days.
The year with 13 month is a leap year. the intercalary month of the leap year between 1895 and 2101 is list as below:
1895 5 1914 5 1933 5 1952 5 1971 5 1990 5 2009 5 2028 5 2047 5 2066 5 2085 5 1898 3 1917 2 1936 3 1955 3 1974 4 1993 3 2012 4 2031 3 2050 3 2069 4 2088 4 1900 8 1919 7 1938 7 1957 8 1976 8 1995 8 2014 9 2033 11 2052 8 2071 3 2090 8 1903 5 1922 5 1941 6 1960 6 1979 6 1998 5 2017 6 2036 6 2055 6 2074 6 2093 6 1906 4 1925 4 1944 4 1963 4 1982 4 2001 4 2020 4 2039 5 2058 4 2077 4 2096 4 1909 2 1928 2 1947 2 1966 3 1984 10 2004 3 2023 2 2042 2 2061 3 2080 3 2099 2 1911 6 1930 6 1949 7 1968 7 1987 6 2006 7 2025 6 2044 7 2063 7 2082 7 2101 7
- Age recognition in China
In China, the age recognition for official use is base on the Gregorian calendar. But, for traditional use, it's based on Han calendar. From birthday to the end of the year, it's one year old. And, add one year old after each New Year Eve. Such as, if one's birthday is Làyuè 29th 2013, he is 2 years old at Zhēngyuè 1st 2014.
- Year name (Niánfèn, 年份)
The years are named with the era name (which is a name of several years) and ordinal number generally. But, the first year of each era is called with Yuánnián (元年).
For the eras ante Emperor Wǔ of Hàn Dynasty, the regnal names are regard as the era names. such as Yǐngōng Yuánnián (隐公元年, The first year of Duke Yǐn of Lǔ State, 722 BC).
113 BC, Emperor Wǔ of Hàn Dynasty issued the first era name, Jiànyuán (建元), and 140 BC is marked as Jiànyuán Yuánnián (建元元年,140 BC).
In China, the first official era name is Jiànyuán (建元), the last official era name is Xuāntǒng (宣统/宣統).
In Japan, the first era name is Taika (大化), the last era name for Han calendar is Keiō (慶應). The first era name for the Gregorian calendar is Meiji (明治). Current era name is Heisei (平成).
After Xuāntǒng Sānnián, the republic authority adopted the Gregorian calendar and establish the next year as the first year. The country name (Mínguǒ, 民国) is regard as the era name. The time system is used in Taiwan and some overseas Chinese societies still.
Since 1949, in mainland China, the authority abolished the era name of the ROC, and specified the Chinese of Christ Era as Gōngyuán (公元, Common Era). So, the Gōngyuán is regard as the current era name. In some Chinese society, Xīyuán (西元, the Western Era) takes the place of Gōngyuán
Continuous year numbering system[edit]
There's not a widely recognized "epoch" for Han calendar. So, there is not a widely recognized continuous year numbering system.
- Yuán-Huì-Yùn-Shì
Shao Yong (邵雍, 1011–1077, Courtesy name: Yáofū, Posthumous title: Kāngjié, a philosopher, cosmologist, poet and historian who greatly influenced the development of Non-Confucianism in China.) introduced a timing system in his Huángjíjīngshì (皇极经世, The Ultimate which Manages the World)
In his time system, 1 yuán (元, round), which contains 12'9600 years, is a lifecycle of the world. Each yuán (round) is divided into 12 huì (会, assembly), which are named with Earthly Branches.
The Hài, Zǐ, and Chǒu are the Tàigǔ (太古, Remote Ages),which is the opening of the world (天地之分) just as the winter. The Yín, Mǎo, and Chén are the Shànggǔ (上古, Early Ages), which is the evolution of the world (天地之化) just as the spring. The Sì, Wǔ, and Wèi are the Zhōnggǔ (中古, Middle Ages), which is the climax of the world (天地之关) just as the summer. The Shēn, Yǒu, and Xū are the Xiàgǔ (下古, Late Ages), which is the closing of the world (天地之合) just as the autumn.
Each huì (assembly) is divided into 30 yùn (运, run), and each yùn (run) is divided into 12 shì (世, generation). So, each shì(generation) is equivalent to 30 years.
The Yuán-Huì-Yùn-Shì is corresponded with Nián-Yuè-Rì-Shí. So the Yuán-Huì-Yùn-Shì is called as the major tend or the numbers of the heaven, and the Nián-Yuè-Rì-Shí is called as the minor tend or the numbers of the earth.
The major tend or the numbers of the heaven is far away from people seemingly, but the minor tend or the numbers of the earth is close to people. So the minor tend or the numbers of the earth is adapted by people for predicting destiny or fate. The numbers of Nián-Yuè-Rì-Shí is marked with stem-branches. So the minor tend of the numbers of the earth is show a form of Bāzì, and the four terms are be called as Four Pillars of Destiny
For example, the eight characters of the birth of Emperor Qiánlóng is Xīnmǎo-Dīngyǒu-Gēngwǔ-Bǐngzǐ (辛卯、丁酉、庚午、丙子).
Shào's Huángjíjīngshì recorded the history with stem-branches cycle from the first year of the 180th run or 2149th generation (ARGY 6-30-1-1, 2577 BC) and marked the year with reign title from the Jiǎchénnián of the 2156th generation (ARGY 6-30-8-11, 2357 BC, 1st year of Tángyáo, 唐尧元年).
According to this timing system, 2014-1-31 is ARG/YMD 7-12-10/1-1-1.
- Huángdì Era
In the 17th century, the Jesuits tried to determine what year should be considered the epoch of Han calendar. In his Sinicae historiae decas prima (first published in Munich in 1658), Martino Martini (1614–1661) dated the royal ascension of Huangdi to 2697 BC, but started the Chinese calendar with the reign of Fu Xi, which he claimed started in 2952 BC. Philippe Couplet's (1623–1693) Chronological table of Chinese monarchs (Tabula chronologica monarchiae sinicae; 1686) also gave the same date for the Yellow Emperor. The Jesuits' dates provoked great interest in Europe, where they were used for comparisons with Biblical chronology. Modern Chinese chronology has generally accepted Martini's dates, except that it usually places the reign of Huangdi in 2698 BC and omits Huangdi's predecessors Fu Xi and Shennong, who are considered "too legendary to include".
Starting in 1903, radical publications started using the projected date of birth of the Yellow Emperor as the first year of Han calendar. Different newspapers and magazines proposed different dates. Jiangsu, for example, counted 1905 as year 4396 (use an epoch of 2491 BC), whereas the Minbao (明报, the organ of the Tongmenghui) reckoned 1905 as 4603 (use an epoch of 2698 BC). Liu Shipei (劉師培; 1884–1919) claimed that the 1900 international expedition sent by eight foreign powers to suppress the Boxer Uprising entered Beijing in the 4611th year of the Yellow Emperor. Liu's calendar started with the birth of the Yellow Emperor, which was determined to be 2711 BC.
At January 2, 1912, Sun Yat-sen declared that the Republic of China adopt the Gregorian calendar, and establish Shíyīyuè 13th 4609 of Huángdì Era as the new year's day of the first year of the Republic of China (中華民國改用陽曆,以黄帝紀元四千六百零九年十一月十三日爲中華民國元年元旦). Sun Yat-sen's choice, which implied an epoch of 2698 BC, was adopted by many overseas Chinese communities outside Southeast Asia such as San Francisco's Chinatown.[12]
Sun Yat-sen's version years before 2698 BC Not mentioned years before 1 AD HE=2699-CE years after 1 BC HE=2698+CE such as 1912+2698=4610, the year after spring festival of 1912 CE is 4610 HE
In the earlier 20th century, kinds of year marking system is released. Except Huángdì era, the following system are well-known,
Confucius Era (孔子紀年), Based on the birth or dead year of Confucius Yáo's Era (帝堯紀年), Based on the regnal of Emperor Yao Xià's Era (夏禹紀年), Based on the regnal of Yu of Xia Qín's Era (秦統一紀年), Based on the year when Qin Unified China Yuán's Era (亡国紀年), Based on the year when Chinese (Song Dynasty) lost China completely Gònghé's Era (共和紀年), Based on the first year of Gònghé. From then, there's clear year mark system.
But in any case, no reference date can be recognized as an epoch of Han calendar without the official recognition.
- Calendar Era
The frame is established at Tàichū Yuánnián (太初元年, 105 BC - 103 BC), and the calendars with this frame is used all the way. And, the first winter solstice of Tàichū Yuánnián which is a winter solstice at Jiǎzǐrì with dark moon (朔旦冬至得甲子), is a node. In the historic book, for modern Chinese, the date after then is idiomatic and the date before then is unidiomatic (Such as: the Zhēngyuè is not always the first month in spring; the years starts at Shíyuè, etc.). So, the first winter solstice of Tàichū Yuánnián is a key reference date for Han calendar. It should be regarded as the epoch of Han calendar. And it's clear that it will be a neutral epoch.
the years before 105 BC, 105-Gōngyuán, such as: 2698 BC is -1594th year(1594th year before the Calendar) the year of 105 BC, 105-Gōngyuán, 105 BC is 0th year the years form 104 BC to 1 BC, 105-Gōngyuán, Such as: 87 BC is 18th year the years after 1 BC, Gōngyuán+104, such as: 2013 is 2117th year
Cycle of years[edit]
- 10-year cycle (Heavenly stems cycle)
The years are grouped within a 10-year cycle which is called the 10 Celestial Stems (or called as 10 Heavenly Stems). The names of each year are: Jiǎnián, Yǐnián, Bǐngnián, Dīngnián, Wùnián, Jǐnián, Gēngnián, Xīnnián, Rénnián and Guìnián.
The current year (2014-1-31~2015-2-18) is Jiǎnián.
Each year corresponds to an element in Wǔxíng. Jiǎnián and Yǐnián is Mùnián (木, Wood), Bǐngnián and Dīngnián is Huǒnián (火, Fire), Wùnián and Jǐnián is Tǔnián (土, Earth), Gēngnián and Xīnnián is Jīnnián (金, Metal), Rénnián and Guìnián is Shuǐnián (水, Water).
Therefore the current year is a Mùnián.
- 12-year cycle (Earthly Branches cycle)
The years are grouped within a 12-year cycle which is called the 12 Earthly Branches. The names of they years are: Zǐnián, Chǒunián, Yínnián, Mǎonián, Chénnián, Sìnián, Wǔnián, Wèinián, Shēnnián, Yǒunián, Xūnián, and Hàinián.
The current year is Wǔnián.
Each cycle year is corresponds to an animal of the Chinese zodiac. Zǐnián to Shǔnián (鼠, Rat), Chǒunián to Níunián (牛, Ox), Yínnián to Hǔnián (虎, Tiger), Mǎonián to Tùnián (兔, Rabbit), Chénnián to Lóngnián (龙, Dragon), Sìnián to Shénián (蛇, Snake), Wǔnián to Mǎnián (马, Horse), Wèinián to Yángnián (羊, Goat), Shēnnián to Hóunián (猴, Monkey), Yǒunián to Jīnián (鸡, Rooster), Xūnián to Gǒunián (狗, Dog) and Hàinián to Zhūnián (猪, Pig).
The seal characters of the earthly branches show the figure of the animals. For example, Wǔ shows the figure of the horse face.
Therefore the current year is Mǎnián (Horse).
Jiǎzǐ №[1] | Stem, branch | Gānzhī(干支) | Year of the... | Continuous[2] | Gregorian date |
79:26 | 07,03 | Gēngyínnián (庚寅年) | Metal Tiger | 4708 | Feb 14, 2010-Feb 2, 2011 |
79:27 | 08,04 | Xīnmǎonián (辛卯年) | Metal Rabbit | 4709 | Feb 3, 2011-Jan 22, 2012 |
79:28 | 09,05 | Rénchénnián (壬辰年) | Water Dragon | 4710 | Jan 23, 2012-Feb 9, 2013 |
79:29 | 10,06 | Guǐsìnián (癸巳年) | Water Snake | 4711 | Feb 10, 2013-Jan 30, 2014 |
79:30 | 01,07 | Jiǎwǔnián (甲午年) | Wood Horse | 4712 | Jan 31, 2014-Feb 18, 2015 |
79:31 | 02,08 | Yǐwèinián (乙未年) | Wood Goat | 4713 | Feb 19, 2015-Feb 7, 2016 |
79:32 | 03,09 | Bǐngshēnnián (丙申年) | Fire Monkey | 4714 | Feb 8, 2016-Jan 27, 2017 |
79:33 | 04,10 | Dīngyǒunián (丁酉年) | Fire Rooster | 4715 | Jan 28, 2017-Feb 15, 2018 |
79:34 | 05,11 | Wùxūnián (戊戌年) | Earth Dog | 4716 | Feb 16, 2018-Feb 4, 2019 |
79:35 | 06,12 | Jǐhàinián (己亥年) | Earth Pig | 4717 | Feb 5, 2019-Jan 24, 2020 |
- 60-year cycle (Stem-branches cycle)
The Heavenly stems cycle and Earthly Branches cycle runs together, and become a 60-year cycle which is called the stem-branches cycle.
The current year is Jiǎwǔnián, also called as Mùmǎnián (Wood Horse).
Around the Han Dynasty, the stem-branches cycle was introduced. In Míng Dynasty and Qīng Dynasty, the stem-branches cycle was used along with the year mark in the Oration to Yellow Emperor. Such as:
Oration to Yellow Emperor at the first year of Wànlì
That, at the first year of Wànlì, which is Guìyǒunián, at Sìyuè started at Gēngxūrì, at 16th day which is Yǐchǒurì, the Emperor sent... Enjoy! (万历元年,岁次癸酉,四月庚戌朔,越十六日乙丑,皇帝遣……。尚飨!)
The table right shows the stem/branch year names, correspondences to the Western (Gregorian) calendar, and other related information for the current decade.[13] Alternatively, see this larger table of the full 60-year cycle.
1 Regard 2697 BC as 01:00.
2 Regard 2698 BC as the first year.
The Chinese calendar year has nine main festivals, seven determined by the lunisolar calendar, and two derived from the solar agricultural calendar. (Farmers actually used a solar calendar, and its 24 terms, to determine when to plant crops, due to the inaccuracy of the lunisolar traditional calendar. However, the traditional calendar has also come to be known as the agricultural calendar.) The two special holidays are the Qingming Festival (about 15 days after the spring equinox) and the Winter Solstice Festival, falling upon the respective solar terms, at ecliptic longitudes of 15° and 270°, respectively. As for all other calendrical calculations, the calculations use civil time in China, UTC+08:00
Date | English | Chinese | Vietnamese | Remarks | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
Zhēngyuè 1st | Chinese New Year | 春節 chūnjié | Nguyên Đán (元旦) | Family gathering and festivities for 3–15 days | 0207 | 0126 | 0214 | 0203 | 0123 | 0210 | 0131 |
Zhēngyuè 15th | Lantern Festival | 元宵節 yuánxiāo | Thượng Nguyên (上元) | Lanterns parading and Eating Yuanxiao | 0221 | 0209 | 0228 | 0217 | 0206 | 0224 | 0214 |
Wǔyuè 5th | Dragon Boat Festival | 端午 duānwǔ | Đoan Ngọ (端午) | Dragon boat racing and zongzi eating | 0608 | 0528 | 0616 | 0606 | 0623 | 0612 | 0602 |
Qīyuè 7th | Night of Sevens | 七夕 qīxī | Thất tịch | For lovers, like Valentine's Day | 0807 | 0826 | 0816 | 0806 | 0823 | 0813 | 0802 |
Qīyuè 15th | Ghost Festival | 中元節 zhōngyuán | Trung Nguyên (中元) | Offer tributes and respect to the deceased | 0815 | 0903 | 0824 | 0814 | 0831 | 0821 | 0810 |
Bāyuè 15th | Mid-Autumn Festival | 中秋 Zhōngqiū | Trung Thu (中秋) | Family gathering and moon cake eating | 0914 | 1003 | 0922 | 0912 | 0930 | 0919 | 0908 |
Jǐuyuè 9th | Double Ninth Festival | 重陽 chóngyáng | Trùng Cửu (重九) | Mountain climbing and flower shows | 1007 | 1026 | 1016 | 1005 | 1023 | 1013 | 1002 |
Shíyuè 15th | Xiàyuán Festival | 下元節 xiàyuán | Hạ Nguyên (下元) | Pray for a peaceful year to the Water God | 1112 | 1201 | 1120 | 1110 | 1128 | 1117 | 1206 |
Làyuè 23rd or 24th | Kitchen God Festival | 小年 xiǎonián | Táo Quân (竈君) | Worshiping the kitchen god with thanks | 0131 | 0119 | 0207 | 0127 | 0117 | 0204 | 0211 |
April 4 or 5 | Qingming Festival | 清明節 qīngmíng | Thanh Minh (清明) | Tomb sweeping | 0404 | 0404 | 0405 | 0405 | 0404 | 0404 | 0405 |
December 21 or 22 | Winter Solstice Festival | 冬至 dōngzhì | Lễ hội Đông Chí | Family gathering, eat Tong yuen | 1221 | 1221 | 1222 | 1222 | 1221 | 1221 | 1222 |
Gregorian reform[edit]
The Gregorian calendar was adopted by the nascent Republic of China effective January 1, 1912 for official business, but the general populace continued to use the traditional calendar. The status of the Gregorian calendar was unclear between 1916 and 1921 while China was controlled by several competing warlords each supported by foreign colonial powers. From about 1921 until 1928 warlords continued to fight over northern China, but the Kuomintang or Nationalist government controlled southern China and used the Gregorian calendar. After the Kuomintang reconstituted the Republic of China on October 10, 1928, the Gregorian calendar was officially adopted, effective January 1, 1929. The People's Republic of China has continued to use the Gregorian calendar since 1949.
Relevance of the calendar today[edit]
There have been calls for reform in recent years from experts in China, because of the increasing irrelevance of the Chinese calendar in modern life. They point to the example in Japan, where during the Meiji Restoration the nation adopted the Gregorian calendar, and simply shifted all traditional festivities onto an equivalent date. However, the Chinese calendar remains important as an element of cultural tradition, and for certain cultural activities.
Practical uses[edit]
The original practical relevance of the lunisolar calendar for date marking has largely disappeared. First, the Gregorian calendar is much easier to compute and more in line with international standards. Its adoption for official purposes has meant that the traditional calendar is rarely used for date marking. This, in turn, means that it is more convenient to remember significant events such as birth dates by the Gregorian rather than the Chinese calendar.
Second, the 24 solar terms were important to farmers who would not be able to plan agricultural activities without foreknowledge of these terms. However, the 24 solar terms (including the solstices and equinoxes) are more predictable on the Gregorian calendar than the lunisolar calendar since they are based on the solar cycle. It is easier for the average Chinese farmer to organize their planting and harvesting with the Gregorian calendar.
However, one practical advantage of using a calendar where the months are lunar months is that the phases of the moon, and astronomical and tidal phenomena associated with them, such as spring and neap tides, fall on approximately the same day in each lunar month, and the times of high and low water and the tidal streams experienced in a certain location on a certain day of the lunar month are likely to be similar to those for the same place and lunar day in any month. For many years, therefore, mariners in East and South-East Asia have related their tidal observations to the Chinese calendar, so as to be able to provide quick, rule-of-thumb approximations of tides and tidal conditions from memory, based on the day of the Lunar month, without needing to refer to tide tables. Certain inshore passages on the China coast, for example, where there are strong tidal streams associated with spring tides, were regarded by mariners to be passable on certain days of the lunar month, and impassable on others.
Cultural issues[edit]
The Chinese calendar remains culturally essential today. For example, most of the traditional festivals, such as Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival, occur on new moons or full moons. The traditional Chinese calendar, as an element of traditional culture, has much cultural and nationalistic sentiment invested in it.
The calendar is still used in the more traditional Chinese households around the world to pick 'auspicious dates' for important events such as weddings, funerals, and business deals. A special calendar is used for this purpose, called Huang Li (traditional Chinese: 皇曆; simplified Chinese: 皇历; pinyin: huánglì), literally "Imperial Calendar", which contains auspicious activities, times, and directions for each day. The calendar follows the Gregorian dates but has the corresponding Chinese dates. Every date would have a comprehensive listing of astrological measurements and fortune elements.
Influence of Han calendar[edit]
Other traditional East Asian calendars are very similar to if not identical to the Chinese calendar: the Korean calendar is identical; the Thai lunar calendar substitutes a big snake for the Dragon and a little snake for the Snake; the Vietnamese calendar substitutes the cat for the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac; the Tibetan calendar differs slightly in animal names, and the traditional Japanese calendar uses a different method of calculation, resulting in disagreements between the calendars in some years. The 12 year cycle, with the animal names translated into the vernacular, was adopted by the Göktürks (its use there is first attested 584), and spread subsequently among many if not most Turkic peoples, as well as the Mongols. A similar calendar seems to have been used by the Bulgars, as attested in the Nominalia of the Bulgarian Khans and in some other documents. The main differences between the Bulgar and the Chinese calendar are the different calculating system, the Tiger has been replaced with a wolf, and the Dragon and Monkey with an unknown animal. Also, the Bulgar calendar is a solar one.[14]
Tibetan calendar[edit]
- Solar day
A solar day is the time round the clock. In Tibetan calendar, a solar day is start at dawn, and end at the next.
- Lunar month and lunar day (moon phase)
A lunar month is the time between two identical moon phases (new moons or full moons). In Tibetan calendar, a lunar month is start at a full month, and end at the next.
A lunar month is divided into 30 lunar days. Each lunar day corresponds to a 12° variance of celestial longitude difference of the moon and sun.
A lunar month is divided into two half, too. The first half is called as the waning half, and the second half is called as the waxing half.
- Date
The 15 phases in the waning half is the 16th to 30th phase, and the 15 phases in the waxing half is the first to 15th phase. So, the i th phase corresponds to i×12° celestial longitude difference of the moon and sun.
The phase number decides the date. If there're two phases within a solar day, the number of the first phase number decides the date; and if there's no phase number within a solar day, the following phase number decides the date. For example,
the first phase is at the 2nd point of day A; Day A is 1st of the month the second phase is at the 57th point of day A; 2nd of the month is vacancy the third phase is at the 53rd point of day B; Day B is 3rd of the month ... the 10th phase is at the 55th point of day C; Day C is 10th of the month no phase in day D; Day D is 11th of the month the 11th phase is at the 4th point of day E; Day E is repeated 11th of the month
The difference of the date rules between Tibetan and Chinese calendar is moon phase against solar day. And the difference leads the bias of date sometimes, but the bias is within 1.
- Solar year and solar month(zodiac)
A solar year is the length of time that the Sun takes to return to the same position in the cycle of seasons.
In Tibetan calendar, a solar year is divided into 12 solar months (zodiac) equally. If a lunar month entered a zodiac, the zodiac decides the month mark; if a lunar month didn't enter a zodiac, the month is an intercalary month. Such as:
month A entered the Taurus at 30th, Month A is the third month of the year month B did not enter a zodiac, Month B is an intercalary month month C entered the Gemini at 2nd, Month C is the fourth month of the year
The 12 solar months is corresponding to the 24 solar terms (mean solar terms) in Chinese calendar. So, the difference of the month rules between Tibetan and Chinese calendar is mean solar against true solar. And the difference leads the bias of month sequence sometimes, but the bias is within 1.
- Compare with Chinese calendar
Considering the date and month rule, the bias between Tibetan and Chinese calendar is no bias, a bias of a day, a bias of a month, or a bias of a month and a day. Such as:
Feb 28, 1987 is Dangpo 1st, Fire rabbit year or Èryuè 1st, Dīngmǎonián with a bias of a month Feb 18, 1988 is Dangpo 1st, Earth dragon year or Zhēngyuè 2nd, Wùchénnián with a bias of a day Feb 27, 1990 is Dangpo 1st, Iron horse year or Zhēngyuè 1st, Gēngwǔnián with a bias of a month and a day Feb 15, 1991 is Dangpo 1st, Iron goat year or Zhēngyuè 1st, Xīngwèinián without bias
Miao calendar[edit]
The Miao calendar is a solar calendar. The Miao calendar is used from ten-thousands years ago, and retired at 33rd year of Guāngxù (光绪三十三年, 1907). The New Year's Day in Miao calendar is the winter solstice.
A year in Miao calendar contains 12 months, which are the unfixed month (动月), the 0th month (偏月), the 1st month (正月), the 2nd month, the 3rd month, the 4th month, the 5th month, the 6th month, the 7th month, the 8th month, the 9th month, the 10th month.
The length of the 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th month is 30 days. The length of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th month is 31 days.
The length of the unfixed month is decided by the winter solstice. If the winter solstice comes after dusk, the length of the unfixed month is 31 days, otherwise the length is 30 days.
- 84 mansion-branches
The 28 mansions and the 12 earthly branches runs together, and works out 84 mansion-branches. The 84 mansion-branches are used to count the day and year continuously, just as 60 stem-branches do.
Ancient Yi calendars[edit]
- Yi 10 months solar calendar
In Yi areas, a 10-months calendar is found in the early 1980s. It's a solar calendar, which contains 10 months of 36 days, and 2/3 transition days before the winter solstice(The minor year) and summer solstice(The major year).The 36 days is named with 12 earthly branches(from tiger to ox) for 3 times.
The 10 months is named with 10 animals(Tiger, Otter, Crocodile, Boa, Pangolin, Muntjac, Bharal, Ape, Panther, and Lizard).The 10 months is divided into 5 seasons, which named with 5 elements(earth, bronze, water, wood, fire).
- Yi 18 months solar calendar
In Yi areas, a 18-months calendar is found in the late 1950s. It's a solar calendar, which contains 18 months of 20 days, and 2/3 transition days before the winter solstice and summer solstice.
The 18 months are named as: wind month, twitter month, sprout month, bloom month, fruit month, drought month, rainy month, freshet month, sunny month, withered month, fallen month, frost month, and celebrate month.
Chinese-Uighur calendar[edit]
In 1258, when both North China and the Islamic world were part of the Mongol Empire, Hulagu Khan established an observatory in Maragheh for the astronomer Nasir al-Din al-Tusi at which a few Chinese astronomers were present, resulting in the Chinese-Uighur calendar that al-Tusi describes in his Zij-i Ilkhani.[15] The 12 year cycle, including Turkic/Mongolian translations of the animal names (known as sanawat-e turki سنوات ترکی,) remained in use for chronology, historiography, and bureaucratic purposes in the Persian and Turkic speaking world from Asia Minor to India and Mongolia throughout the Medieval and Early Modern periods. In Iran it remained common in agricultural records and tax assessments until a 1925 law deprecated its use.
See also[edit]
- Culture of China
- Guo Shoujing, an astronomer tasked with calendar reform during the 13th century
- East Asian age reckoning
- Sexagenary cycle
- Dates in Chinese
- Public holidays in China
- ^ a b c d e Deng, Yingke. (2005). Ancient Chinese Inventions. Translated by Wang Pingxing. Beijing: China Intercontinental Press (五洲传播出版社). ISBN 7-5085-0837-8. Page 67.
- ^ Cullen, Atronomy and Methematics in Ancient China. Cambridge, 1996.
- ^ Needham, Joseph. (1986). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 5, Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Part 6, Missiles and Sieges. Cambridge University Press., reprinted Taipei: Caves Books, Ltd.(1986). Page 151.
- ^ Ebrey, Patricia Buckley (1999). The Cambridge Illustrated History of China. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-66991-X (paperback). Pages 124–125.
- ^ F. Richard Stephenson and Liu Baolin, "A brief contemporary history of the Chinese calendar" Orion, Jahrgang 56, Nr. 287, 1998)
- ^ Helmer Aslaksen, The mathematics of the Chinese calendar pages 18 & 28.
- ^ Asiapac Editorial. (2004). Origins of Chinese Science and Technology. Translated by Yang Liping and Y.N. Han. Singapore: Asiapac Books Pte. Ltd. ISBN 981-229-376-0, p. 132.
- ^ Needham, Joseph. (1959). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 3, Mathematics and the Sciences of the Heavens and the Earth. Cambridge University Press., reprinted Taipei: Caves Books, Ltd.(1986), pp. 109–110.
- ^ Ho, Peng Yoke. (2000). Li, Qi, and Shu: An Introduction to Science and Civilization in China. Mineola: Dover Publications. ISBN 0-486-41445-0. p. 105.
- ^ Restivo, Sal. (1992). Mathematics in Society and History: Sociological Inquiries. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. ISBN 1-4020-0039-1. p. 32.
- ^ "Solar term" is the standard modern English term for the 24 節氣. "Primary terms" and "sectional terms" are the English translation given by Liu Baolin 刘宝琳, chief calendarist at the Purple Mountain Observatory 中国科学院紫金山天文台 in his paper, Liu Baolin and F. Richard Stephenson, "The Chinese calendar and its operational rules" published: Orion, Jahrgang 56, Nr. 286, Juni 1998, 16.
- ^ Aslaksen, p. 38.
- ^ The following link provides conversion of Chinese calendar dates to Western calendar dates: [1]
- ^ Перипетиите на календара, проф. Никола Николов
- ^ Benno van Dalen, E.S. Kennedy, Mustafa K. Saiyid, "The Chinese-Uighur Calendar in Tusi's Zij-i Ilkhani", Zeitschrift für Geschichte der Arabisch-Islamischen Wissenschaften 11 (1997) 111–151.
External links[edit]
- Chinese months
- Chinese day with auspicious times
- Gregorian-Lunar calendar years (1900–2100)
- Chinese calendar and holidays
- Miao calendar
- Chinese Calendar with auspicious days
Calendar conversion[edit]
- Western-Chinese calendar converter (since 1912)
- 2000-year Chinese-Western calendar converter From 1 AD to 2100 AD. Useful for historical studies. Put the western year 年 month 月day 日in the bottom row and click on 執行.


text:
SKU: 35667 Weight: 0.01
In stock
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PME-Writing Supatube. This stainless steel tube will create fun words; dots; piping lines and more for any baked good decorating project! It can be used with parchment; paper and fabric piping bags in addition to most adaptors and icing guns. This package contains a No 1 writing tube. Imported.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This is just my absumption but I believe it will be AugustOriginally Posted by mgrande
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Droid Forums
Yes, a clarification is in order and it's due to my mistake. In my cutting and pasting of my edits I inadvertently pasted TFT LED in the LED Display section. Truth is TFT LED, back in the day was used to identify an "Active Matrix" LCD display with Thin Film Transistors in place at each pixel junction to control that pixel. "Passive Matrix" was a method where the pixel didn't use a transistor to control the state of that pixel and instead the pixel could maintain its state on its own, and a matrix of wires was used to communicate with each junction, and the controlling happening at the motherboard level "LCD Controller".
The problem was that Passive Matrix" was slower to refresh and so the images were "ghosty" as they moved quickly across the screen, and video frame-rates couldn't be high or there would be lost frames. Since the controller needed to send signals down the entire matrix at one time, row by row, the entire matrix took relatively long to make a change, and by the time the bottom rows were done making the change, the top rows were falling behind the frame-rate. So then "Dual-Scan Passive Matrix" was devised, which divided up the rows of pixels into two sets, where every even row was controlled by one controller, and the odd rows by another. This allowed for much faster refresh rates and also for smoother transitions of image changes, leading to less "Ghosting".
"Active Matrix" was devised to change the state of the pixel (the angle of the crystals), between open and shut rapidly to reduce ghosting to almost negligible.
Then came LED which removed the slower LCD technology, removed the need for back-lighting, and allowed for much brighter displays, higher contrast ratios, wider viewing angles, less power consumption, and far faster refresh rates.
And yes, your description of LED Displays also being "Active Matrix" is correct. LED Displays are Active Matrix by nature, since each LED is backed by its own controlling transistor.
OLEDs are more efficient for two reasons...one, they use less power for the same number of lumens, and two, they use less power while at low light output levels. Non-Organic LED use nearly as much power at dramatically muted brightness as they do at full brightness. Since even while showing "black" LEDs AND OLEDs are actually "on" and activated (to keep the time to go from muted to bright minimized), they both use power, but OLEDs use far less power at the muted levels, so overall two displays, OLED and LED, displaying the same image, should show very different power consumption...and the OLED would be the winner for power efficiency at the same light levels.
And your observations are correct...the comparison is at the same light level outputs. Since OLEDs are able to produce more lumens, they can be "turned down" to reduce power consumption. But we as owners wanted MORE light, so we could see them in bright light, for instance...so they really are not "turned down" as they could be and would need to be to compare to LED displays in general. As a result, a present day OLED Display may consume comparable power with an image displayed, it will be markedly brighter at the same power level. On the other hand, at a rest state, or when there is a lot of dark screen areas, the OLED would consume considerably less power than a comparable LED Display.
For Pentile Displays, it wasn't so much a reduction in power as the primary purpose, as it was a reduction in the number of subpixels needed to produce a comparable resolution...which eventually results in less power consumption. Here's some great info on that technology from Wikipedia:
"PenTile Matrix" (a neologism from penta-, meaning "five" and tile) describes the geometric layout of the prototypical subpixel arrangement developed in the early 1990s.[1] The layout consists of a quincunx comprising two red subpixels, two green subpixels, and one central blue subpixel in each unit cell. It was inspired by biomimicry of the human retinawhich has nearly equal numbers of L and M type cone cells, but significantly fewer S cones. As the S cones are primarily responsible for perceiving blue colors, which do not appreciably affect the perception of luminance, reducing the number of blue subpixels with respect to the red and green subpixels in a display does not reduce the image quality.[2]This layout is specifically designed to work with and be dependent upon subpixel rendering that uses only one and a quarter subpixel per pixel, on average, to render an image. That is, that any given input pixel is mapped to either a red-centered logical pixel, or a green-centered logical pixel.
PenTile was invented by Candice H. Brown Elliott. The technology was licensed by the company Clairvoyante from 2000 until 2008, during which time several prototype PenTile displays were developed by a number of Asian liquid crystal display (LCD) manufacturers. In March 2008, Samsung Electronics acquired Clairvoyante's PenTile IP assets. Samsung then funded a new company, Nouvoyance, Inc. to continue development of the PenTile technology.[3]
[edit]PenTile RGBG
PenTile RGBG layout used in AMOLED displays uses green pixels interleaved with alternating red and blue pixels. The human eye is most sensitive to green, especially for high resolution luminance information. The green subpixels are mapped to input pixels on a one to one basis. The red and blue subpixels are subsampled, reconstructing the chroma signal at a lower resolution. The luminance signal is processed using adaptive subpixel rendering filters to optimize reconstruction of high spatial frequencies from the input image, wherein the green subpixels provides the majority of the reconstruction. The red and blue subpixels are capable of reconstructing the horizontal and vertical spatial frequencies, but not the highest of the diagonal. Diagonal high spatial frequency information in the red and blue channels of the input image are transferred to the green subpixels for image reconstruction. Thus the RG-BG scheme creates a color display with one third fewer subpixels than a traditional RGB-RGB scheme but with the same measured luminance display resolution.[4][5] This is similar to the Bayer filter commonly used in digital cameras.
Last edited by FoxKat; 07-26-2012 at 09:04 PM.
"Professor FoxKat"
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Avatar is Maxwell Smart, AKA Agent 86, from "Get Smart" (with his signature "Shoe Phone"), a SitCom TV series by Mel Brooks & Buck Henry, based on the spy thriller series, "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.".
"Guidelines of Conduct" for DroidForums.net
lol you are putting too much thinking into this ... but to think of it, aren't we all.Originally Posted by INCREMENTAL
Lol yeah you right but hey I'm trying to build some excitementOriginally Posted by coderror
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Droid Forums
We need some excitement after finding out that it is coming with a smaller batteryOriginally Posted by INCREMENTAL
Yeah true but with the announcement that the Q is gonna have a unlovkable boot loader let's pray and hope Moto comes through with our HD. No negative comments lol, I don't want anyone to ruin my hopes hahaOriginally Posted by jgmecarter
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Droid Forums
I thought I read that the rest of their phone line would be unlocked starting with the QOriginally Posted by INCREMENTAL
Captain obvious here, saying... Moto, unlock my RAZR maxx's


text:
Earth/Moon Design
Increasing Lunar Coincidences Lead to "Philosophical Disquiet"
Our Moon is like no other. The ratio of its mass compared to the mass of its host planet is about fifty times greater than the next closest known ratio of moon to host planet mass. Plus, our Moon … more
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I like climbing mountains. During my Caltech days, a fellow astronomer and I had a 36-hour window between research projects. We quickly packed his car, drove seven hours to a trailhead, hiked several … more
Creation in Color
When I was a kid in the early 70s, television shows were just starting to be released in color. Black-and-white television was fun, but color was even better! It offered a more realistic view of how … more
God's purpose for hominids?; The flesh, the spirit, and I?; Does time dilation continue to tick?
Episode #267: God's purpose for hominids?; The flesh, the spirit, and I?; Does time dilation continue to tick? more
Design of Ocean Waste Recyclers
I grew up within easy walking distance of Burrard Inlet in Vancouver, one of the world's busiest harbors. The water of that port is filled with thousands of sea creatures, such as gulls, fish, … more
Descendants of Adam and Eve; Coaxing Planets to support life; Evolving cold-blooded organisms?
Episode #250: Descendants of Adam and Eve; Coaxing Planets to support life; Evolving cold-blooded organisms? more
Planet Habitability Requires a Lifetime of Fine-Tuning
In my youth I would frequently backpack to remote mountains. For a trip lasting only two days I would pack just a tarp and some twine. For a trip lasting more than a week I needed a tent with sealed … more
Howling at the Moon
Next Saturday night (September 29) we'll have a full moon over Southern California. As the legend goes, a full moon means an increase in lycanthropy—more commonly known as werewolf … more
TNRTB CLASSIC: Earth's Interior Benefits
Powerful impact events early in Earth's history transformed the planet from toxic to life-friendly. Heating of the Earth's core allowed the planet to sustain a strong magnetic field … more
Once in a Blue Moon
On July 20, 1969, the world watched as the first human stepped onto the surface of the moon. Today, we scroll online news reports as the world remembers the man whose mission would become a part of … more
TNRTB Classic: Our Unique Solar System
A few days ago, I discussed the implications of a paper displaying the critical importance of a late stage of terrestrial (rocky) planet formation for life on Earth. This study adds to the continuous … more
New Evidence for Solar System Design: Fine-Tuning the Late Veneer
The more we learn, the more its features appear fine-tuned to enable the eventual existence of advanced life on Earth. A recent study, for example, shows a residual population of planetesimals (small, … more
An Atmosphere Without Oxygen
Multicellular life (like humans) requires abundant oxygen in the atmosphere. Geological studies indicate that oxygen was not a permanent component of Earth's atmosphere until 2.5 billion years … more
TNRTB Classic: Refocusing on the Moon
Monday's TNRTB discussed the fine-tuned features of Earth's celestial companion: the Moon. Previous NASA missions and scientific research revealed the Moon's essential role in the … more
Our Remarkable Moon
We had a rare opportunity to witness a solar eclipse on Sunday, May 20. Of course, looking directly into the Sun is never a good idea. So, using my telescope's finder scope, Kathy and I … more
The Resources in Shortest Supply
One of the ways a creation perspective differs from an evolutionary perspective may be seen in its explanation of humanity's arrival time. Evolutionists say we humans showed up after 3.8 billion … more
Mapping Moon's Pull
Yahoo! News, "Twin Gravity Probes to Start Mapping Moon's Pull" Jan 20, 2012; http://news.yahoo.com/twin-gravity-probes-start-mapping-moons-pull-123802204.html more
Milankovitch Cycle Design
We all know friends and relatives who exhibit frequent, large mood cycles. In some cases, the cycles can be so extreme as to make maintaining a normal life challenging.
Planetary scientists are … more
Is the Moon Getting Younger?
Yahoo! News, "What's the age of the moon? It could be waning" Aug 17, 2011; http://news.yahoo.com/whats-age-moon-could-waning-170154507.html more


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Product Description
This food offers balanced nutrition that works to maintain liver health in adult cats.
Proper liver function is vital to your cat's well-being, and Hill's Prescription Diet l/d Feline Hepatic Health Cat Food offers the nutrition necessary to help keep him or her healthy. Your cat is sure to love the savory taste, while the blend of minerals and vitamins works to maintain a healthy liver.
- For cats
- Promotes good liver function
- Made in USA
- Ingredients: water, pork liver, egg product, corn gluten meal, rice flour, pasta product, soybean oil, soybean meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), soy fiber, chicken liver flavor, fish oil, dicalcium phosphate, powdered cellulose, potassium chloride, choline chloride, l-lysine, calcium sulfate, L-arginine, taurine, guar gum, calcium carbonate, iodized salt, vitamin E supplement, DL-methionine, L-carnitine, thiamine mononitrate, zinc oxide, ferrous sulfate, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), niacin, vitamin A supplement, beta carotene, riboflavin, manganous oxide, calcium pantothenate, vitamin B12 supplement, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, copper sulfate, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, sodium selenite, calcium iodate and menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite (source of vitamin K)
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 6.5%, Crude Fat (min) 4.5%, Crude Fiber (max) 1.0%, Moisture (max) 78.0%, Ash (max) 2.5%, Calcium (min) 0.1%, Phosphorus (min) 0.08%, Taurine (min) 0.08%, Cartinine* (min) 125 ppm
Use only as directed by your veterinarian.
Cover and refrigerate unused portion.
Important Notice:
A prescription from a veterinarian must be obtained in order to purchase this food. Visit your vet to learn more information about switching your pet to a prescription-based diet and how to make the change. Check your local store for availability prior to purchase.
Available in a 5.5-oz. can
Customer Reviews
Product Notes
- In Stores Only


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CAUTHE 2015 Conference
Welcome to the 25th annual CAUTHE conference at Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Australia.
View MoreThe Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) is an incorporated association, formally established in Sydney in 1992. CAUTHE represents the universities in Australia and New Zealand that teach and research hospitality and tourism.
READ MORECAUTHE's official journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management contains both theoretical and applied research papers and encourages the submission of the results of collaborative research undertaken between academia and industry.
READ MORECAUTHE provides institutional membership for universities and affiliated organisations in Australia and New Zealand. Associate, student and fellow membership is available to individuals.
CAUTHE has links with associations and key tourism and hospitality organisations which are central to the ongoing pursuit of excellence in tourism and hospitality education and research.
READ MOREIndividuals can purchase Associate or Student membership in the online shop. Chapter or Affiliate membership is available for institutions. Past conference proceedings and individual articles are available for purchase.
READ MORECAUTHE provides services to members, including an annual conference; PhD, early and mid-career workshops; conference bursaries; awards; industry liaison; special interest groups and a journal.


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RP Database
RP Lite is for use by Graduate Coordinators, Graduate School advisors, and approved faculty and staff only. You must be approved to use the RP Lite system, and have your login and ID. If you are not currently an approved user, please contact Susan Tanner in the Graduate School at (309) 677-3487 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Said and Done for November/December 2012
November 29, 2012
Digest of humanities, arts and social sciences
Also labeled: Anthropology, Arts, Awards, honors and fellowships, Books and authors, Comparative Media Studies/Writing, Faculty, Humanities, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E), Linguistics, Literature, languages and writing, Music, Philosophy, Political science, Politics, Social sciences, Students, Technology and society
From the water to Washington
November 15, 2012
MIT senior Noam Angrist works to reform education and health care through youth mentorship and economics.
Three awards for MIT research in anthropology, economics and political science
November 9, 2012
Mikusheva receives Elaine Bennett Research Prize; Petersen wins Distinguished Book Award; Helmreich wins Rachel Carson Prize.
How Jonathan Gruber became 'Mr. Mandate'
October 28, 2012
An MIT economist's path to the center of health-care policymaking in Washington.
Also labeled: Alumni/ae, Faculty, Health care, Insurance, Mitt Romney, Policy, Politics, President Obama, Research, Social sciences
Said and Done for September 2012
September 17, 2012
Digest of MIT humanities, arts, and social sciences.
The economic cost of increased temperatures
August 6, 2012
Study: Warming episodes hurt poor countries and limit long-term growth.
Study: Many Americans die with 'virtually no financial assets'
August 2, 2012
Innovative research shows large divergence in retirement saving outcomes, with the single elderly faring worse than married couples.
Why cutting-edge medical technology may not lead to exploding health care costs
July 26, 2012
New study finds growth of advanced imaging slowed amid financial, medical concerns.
Five MIT researchers win presidential early career honors
July 23, 2012
Jarillo-Herrero, Lu, Pathak, Sinha and Thaler among 96 winners.
Said and Done for June/July 2012
July 16, 2012
Digest of MIT humanities, arts and social sciences
Economist Robert Townsend wins Frisch Medal
July 5, 2012
Prestigious prize granted for research on Thailand's villages.
Also labeled: Awards, honors and fellowships, Development, Faculty, International development, Research
Computer science tackles 30-year-old economics problem
June 24, 2012
MIT researchers generalize Nobel winner's work on single-item auctions to auctions involving multiple items.
Also labeled: Game theory, mechanism design
Economists find evidence for famous hypothesis of 'comparative advantage'
June 19, 2012
Why do nations trade goods instead of producing more themselves? An old theory, that countries specialize in the products they make well, may be on the money.
Also labeled: Manufacturing, Trade
Josh Shifrinson: decline of power play
May 22, 2012
Military strategy for a declining United States in a complex world
No crystal ball for natural gas
May 22, 2012
Traditionally, oil prices have been used to gauge the natural gas market; but new research shows that the future of what is currently a cheap fuel is really anyone's guess.
Andrea Campbell: Public opinion and policy viewed through an historical lens
May 14, 2012
Professor studies taxation, Social Security, health insurance and more.
Also labeled: Government, Health care, Policy, Political science, Politics, Research, Voting and elections
Taking credit
May 9, 2012
When Thailand's government started offering microfinance loans to villagers, did anyone benefit? An MIT economist investigates.
Studying school quality, to fight inequality
May 8, 2012
New MIT center examines education and its lifelong effects.
Also labeled: Collaboration, Education, teaching, academics, Inequality, K-12 education, Research, Schools, Students
Four MIT professors elected to National Academy of Sciences
May 3, 2012
Liskov, Suresh, Townsend and Young bring to 78 the number of Institute faculty who are NAS members.
Game theory, in the real world
April 30, 2012
MIT economist Parag Pathak engineers practical solutions to complicated education problems.
Amy Finkelstein wins John Bates Clark Medal
April 27, 2012
MIT economist lauded for work on health care markets.
Acemoglu wins Nemmers Prize
April 19, 2012
MIT economist granted award for 'fundamental contributions' on economics, politics and growth.
A taxing issue
April 11, 2012
In book talk, MIT economist Simon Johnson and co-author James Kwak emphasize need to raise revenues to cope with national debt.
3 Questions: Simon Johnson on the national debt
April 7, 2012
In new book, MIT economist surveys history of debt battles and offers a prescription for fiscal recovery.
All the difference in the world
March 22, 2012
In new book, economists Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson assert that above all else, political institutions — not culture or natural resources — determine the wealth of nations.
Development economist Alice Amsden dies at 68
March 16, 2012
MIT professor was a prolific scholar who wrote extensively about industrialization in emerging economies.


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Hoping to generate leads the Bazetta Township Police Department and the Trumbull County Coroner's Office unveiled a detailed reconstruction of the face they believe belongs to skeletal remains found in Bazetta Township. Presenting the bust on Monday morning, Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk, Trumbull County Coroner and Detective Joe Sofchek discussed their hopes that by giving the skeletal remains a face, the mystery behind their discovery might be put to rest. ''The most important person in this room is not Detective Sofchek, it's not me. That is the most important, he is the most important person in this room,'' Germaniuk said Monday. ''That is why we are all here ... to try to find out who he is and to try to find out what happened so that justice and truth can be found.'' The reconstruction was prepared by the FBI's Special Projects Unit Forensic Artists. The remains were found four years ago in a swampy area of Mosquito Lake State Park. ''On July 23, 2006, a father and son were crossing some of the swampy areas of Mosquito Lake and came across what were believed to be skeletal remains,'' said Germaniuk. After the body was discovered, Germaniuk's office was called in. ''In the evening it was confirmed that they were human skeletal remains,'' said Dr. Germaniuk. The skeleton was found without clothing and without skin tissue completely intact except for some of its small bones. On the left side of the head, a gold earring was found but no other identifiable items were located. Preliminary examination was done on the remains, but no determination could be made of who the bones belonged to and why they were there. ''Further examination at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C., where further examination revealed the remains to be those of an African-American male, being approximately 50 years of age and having a height of five feet eight inches, plus or minus three inches,'' Germaniuk said. The weight of the man is unknown. ''They are just going by the bone structure,'' Sofchek said. ''There is no way to know weight based on bones.'' According to Sofchek, the weight of the man as well as small features such as hair length are not as important as the face. ''(The FBI) doesn't want to put a lot of hair on it. They want people to concentrate on the face,'' he said. DNA from the body was also sent to two agencies, ViCAP, the FBIs Violent Criminal Apprehension Program, and the North Texas Science Institute, both of which turned up nothing, said Sofchek. The question remains as to why the body was in the marshy area and what caused the man's death. ''When you find human remains that appear to have been dumped in that particular area for several months, you would suspect foul play,'' said Germaniuk. There, however, is no sign of foul play or any indication that the death was a homicide. ''This case is being treated as a suspicious death and until we can find out who he is and until we have more information it is being treated as a suspicious death,'' Germaniuk said. In the four years since the bones were found, there have been no leads and calls regarding the remains have completely dried up. ''When we initially determined there was a skeleton found, we had approximately eight to 10 leads and most of them were all females,'' said Sofchek. ''Once it was determined it was a male, it just shut off...no phone calls and nothing is new from four years ago.'' Germaniuk believes that lack of calls could point to the man having come from outside the Mahoning Valley. ''The very fact that no one's come forth leads us to believe that he may be from outside of the area,'' Germaniuk said. ''If not even outside of the country such as Canada or one of the larger cities were you may have transients.'' The coroner's office and the police department are both hoping that giving the skeleton a human face will lead them to the answers that they have been searching for for four years. ''He is someone,'' said Germaniuk. ''He belongs to someone. He once was someone.''
Anyone with additional information or questions regarding this case should submit a tip.


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Lobbyists representing Apollo Advisors, 2012:
Lobbying Firm Hired | Amount | Subsidiary (Lobbied For) | Lobbyist |
Brownstein, Hyatt et al | $630,000 | Apollo Management |
Brownstein, Norman Levy, Michael B Mahony, Regina Ortiz, Manuel Whonder, Carmencita |
Parry, Romani et al | $198,233 | General Nutrition Center |
Baxter, Edward Rock, James W Romani, Romano Strom, Thaddeus Symms, Steven D |
*Each quarterly filing is treated as a separate report.
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center.


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Junior League of Charlotte Encourages Healthy Eating For KidsCharlotte, N.C. -- The Junior League of Charlotte is teaming up with the community in order to fight the battle of the bugle in kids. President Whitni Wertz and Reid Park Academy Science Teacher, Jocelyn Roper detail the newest efforts to keep local kids healthy! Learn more about "Food Desserts" in Mecklenburg County. Most Popular
Most Popular |


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Zoho Docs makes it easy for you to share files online easily and securely with its easy to use sharing functionalities.
Once you click on 'share', the file will be shared with the users and they will be notified about the sharing via a notification email. Shared users can access the shared file by clicking on the link in from the notification email or by clicking on the 'Shared To Me' option in their Zoho Docs home page.
All the files you have stored in Zoho Docs have an unique perma-link which can be used to access it (based on the document visibility settings which you have set). You can share the perma-link with other users, and set the visibility of the file accordingly.
By default the visibility of a document is set to private. To change the visibility of a file :
Collaborators Only : will make the file available only to those who has been explicitly granted permission to the file. (Secure shared)
Everyone in Organization : will make the file available only to the 'members of your organization' who has the perma-link of the file.
You can make the file visible & accessible to all the members of your organization by checking the 'Allow everyone to find and access' check box.
Public on the web with password-protect : will make the file accessible to anyone (even non Zoho users) who has the perma link of the file and password set by the author of the document.
Public on the web : will make the file accessible to anyone (even non Zoho users) who has the perma link of the file and no password needed for the download access.
There might be some documents that contain confidential information and the people who you want to share the document with might be non-Zoho users. To ensure that your document information is safe and can be accessed only by certain users you choose to share it with, Zoho Docs provides you with a password-protect option. You can password protect a file by entering a password for the file. You can send the file link through an email and the person the file link has been sent to can view the file only on entering the password set by you, for which they will have to personally contact you.
In Zoho Docs, you can create groups and invite friends, colleagues, team members and share unlimited files with groups, Chat, Edit documents with the group members in real-time and do more.
The Group members will be notified about the file sharing and they can access the shared documents by clicking on the Group name (available in the left menu).
You can change the visibility settings of a file, add / remove / change / view permissions of the shared users at any time.


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Free standard shipping on full-size orders $50+
This product is a must have in any girl's makeup bag. The tiny spatula makes it so easy to use, and it conceals perfectly. I never go out without using the Erase Paste first.
A little goes a long way. You don't have to use a lot to get great coverage. The formula is pretty heavy tho, so adding concealer on top of it feels like a bit much. But it doesn't look cakey because of the hydration it gives. I just wish it came in more colors!
I love this and have been using it for a year.
It goes a long way!
I have dark allergy circles and this helps cover them and brighten my eyes behind my glasses.
Will buy it forever.
I use my beauty balm after my creams and let all dry, then apply this cream heavily and lightly at the same time, then I apply my foundation on top of it and last but not least the powder. It's really important that you let all of your products set before you go slopping gunk on or else you will end up w streaks or your products will simply not work to their potential. The list I gave prior, is for my major bad days. Otherwise, I can go out on a normal day w some of the Erase paste and some powder and be done w it :)
Heredity caused my dark circles, and lack of sleep makes them worse. This product definitely covers up my darkest of darkest circles. And the reviews aren't kidding... a little bit goes a long way. However, I did notice several hours later my circles were starting to re-appear, so an additional coverage was needed. Aside from that, I love this product.
I have dark circles and very dry skin. Even though this concealer is rich and pasty, which usually is what I need for my dry skin, it didn't work. It wouldn't easily blend with my skin, and it didn't cover the dark circles.
I tried this out and it does a great job for my under the eye dark circles and covers up quite nicely. Unfortunately, it didn't cover the small red spot on my cheek that I want to go away.
I was happy overall though.
erase paste is a miracle worker for my eyes! i have bad under eye circle- not puffy but dark! im not used to it but this brightened and concealed those circles so well!! highly recommend. i went into a store to try it first and i was a little unsure but i think the lady didnt put enough on, but i took the chance and bought it on birchbow and and very glad i did
I like the way this covers up my dark circles; however, it tends to settle into my fine lines. Basically I felt like it covered up the circles but called attention to the lines. I look rested, but old. I like the "rested" look. The "old" look not so much.
This is one of my most favorite products! I use it with a little powder and it gives great coverage and feels good on. It gives great coverage with out feeling greasy or causing breakouts. A little goes a long way!


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recipe reviews for:
"The reliable standbys of lemon and garlic get a flavor boost from the addition of curry to this baked chicken dish."
My Profile | Cooks I Like Reviews | Photos | Recipes | Menus | Blog
Cooking Level: Professional
Everything you need to party like a leprechaun.
New for spring! Good-for-you food you'll love to eat.
Delicious recipes, party ideas, and helpful cooking tips! Get a year of Allrecipes magazine for just $9.99!
See how to make a tender, juicy whole chicken in the slow cooker.
See how to make lemony chicken served with a savory mushroom sauce.
See how to make a simple herb-rubbed roast chicken, Italian-style.


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Illustration by Shout Buddhist Megumi Okumura learned to meditate as a child, but the 38-year-old physician never connected meditation with her waistline until she heard about an intriguing study at the hospital where she worked: Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, were examining the link between mindfulness and abdominal fat (the most dangerous kind) in overweight and obese women. Okumura, who was still carrying the 30 pounds she'd gained during her medical training, signed up.
At the end of the four-month study, she had lost 14 ounces of belly fat. Within a year, she'd shed 25 pounds and two inches from her waist—all without a single day of dieting. Instead, she says, "I changed how I thought about eating." Jennifer Daubenmier, PhD, lead author of the study (which was published in the Journal of Obesity), says the idea was to help participants "tune in to physical sensations of hunger, fullness, and taste satisfaction, and to eat based on that awareness," rather than on stress. Subjects attended a series of classes in mindfulness practices, where they learned to recognize negative feelings (like anger and anxiety) and resist the urge to seek comfort in food. The women who reported the greatest improvement in mindfulness and stress levels lost the largest amount of belly fat—4.2 ounces on average. With just 47 subjects, the study was small, Daubenmier says, "but it was proof of concept." Next: The explanation behind their weight loss From the May 2012 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
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