In ancient Chinese astronomy, "the sun and the moon enter the night, the dragon, the snake, the tiger and the bird, the seven days and one elephant, retrograde in the sky" is a description full of mystery and deep meaning. It covers the movement of the sun, moon and stars, the arrangement of the four images and the 28 Nakshatras, and the observation and understanding of astronomical phenomena by the ancients. This article will explain the meaning of this sentence in detail, and the astronomical knowledge and cultural connotations behind it.
1. The sun and moon stay in the sun: the movement of the sun, moon and stars
"The Sun and Moon in the Zodiac" describes the movement of the Sun and Moon in the zodiac. In ancient China, people observed the orbits of the sun and the moon and gradually realized that they traveled through the starry sky along a certain path: the ecliptic. There are 28 Nakshatras on the ecliptic, and these Pleiades are not only coordinate points in the sky, but also an important reference for ancient people to observe the movement of the sun and moon.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west every day, and travels along the zodiac once a year, forming the four seasons. The moon, with its unique cycle, shows a change of profit and loss under the light of the sun, and together with the sun, it interprets the sun and moon in the sky.
2. Dragons, snakes, tigers and sparrows: four elephants and twenty-eight nights
"Dragon, snake, tiger and bird" refers to the four elephants in ancient astronomy, namely the green dragon, the white tiger, the vermilion bird, and the Xuanwu. These four elephants represent the four directions, the green dragon represents the east, the white tiger represents the west, the vermilion bird represents the south, and the Xuanwu represents the north. Each image contains seven Pleiades, for a total of 28 Nakshatras.
These pleiades are not only coordinates in the sky, but also the basis for the ancients to observe and record astronomical phenomena. Through long-term observation and recording, the ancients found that the relative positions of these pleiades were fixed, and the sun and moon traveled along the ecliptic, forming the relative motion of the sun, moon and stars.
3. Seven days and one image: seven nights and one day of the week
The term "seven days" refers to the fact that the sun travels through a quadrant for every seven nights of the zodiac, which takes about seven days. This observation not only reflects the movement of the sun, but also reflects the division of time and seasons in ancient times.
As a unit, the seven Pleiades not only facilitated the astronomical observation and recording of the ancients, but also provided them with an important basis for calculating time and seasons. Through such observation and calculation, the ancients were able to accurately grasp the agricultural time, arrange production and life, and achieve a harmonious coexistence with heaven and earth.
4. Retrograde in the sky: The retrograde phenomenon of the planets
"Retrograde in the sky" refers to the phenomenon of the planets moving retrograde. In the view of the ancients, the trajectory of the planets did not always follow the same direction, but would occur retrograde at some point. This phenomenon was considered mysterious and unpredictable at the time, so it became an important topic for astronomical research.
Through the observation and study of the phenomenon of planetary retrograde, the ancients gradually realized that this was caused by the fact that the orbit of the planet around the sun was not synchronized with the orbit of the earth around the sun. This discovery not only enriched people's understanding of astronomical phenomena, but also provided important enlightenment for later astronomical research.
5. Cultural connotation and influence
The description of the sun and the moon entering the house, the dragon, the snake and the tiger and the sparrow, the seven days and one image, retrograde in the sky" not only reflects the observation and understanding of astronomical phenomena of the ancients, but also contains rich cultural connotations and philosophical reflections. It reflects the awe and curiosity of the ancients about all things in heaven and earth, and also reflects their unique understanding of time and space.
At the same time, this description also had a profound impact on later generations. It not only provided an important reference and inspiration for later astronomical research, but also became an important creative material in the fields of literature and art. Through the study and interpretation of this description, we can better understand the astronomical achievements and cultural spirit of ancient China, and also better understand the process of human exploration and understanding of the universe.
VI. Conclusion
The description of the sun and moon entering the night, the dragon, the snake, the tiger and the bird, the image of the seven days, retrograde in the sky" is one of the important achievements of ancient Chinese astronomy. It not only reflects the observation and understanding of astronomical phenomena by the ancients, but also contains rich cultural connotations and philosophical reflections. Through the study and interpretation of this description, we can better understand the astronomical achievements and cultural spirit of ancient China, and also better understand the process of human exploration and understanding of the universe. In today's highly technologically advanced era, we can still draw wisdom and inspiration from this description, and continue to explore the mysteries of the universe and the future of mankind.
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