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Post by Admin on Jan 3, 2019 3:17:44 GMT
So when you read wuxia novels, you might read : 而更,三更,午时,etc. to indicate time. It's really intricating. I found out this website, it has a pretty good explanation. But honestly, my Chinese is not good enough to be able to comprehend all and to explain. But at least now I know the rough ideas. 114.xixik.com/shichen/
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Post by siuyiu on Jan 3, 2019 4:12:45 GMT
here's an english site that gives a brief concept of how the "double hour" of chinese timekeeping works: www.sizes.com/time/daychinese.htmin keeping with an existing system of timekeeping, the twelve periods of day share names with the twelve branches used to name years (in conjunction with the 10 stems) and put them into 60-year cycles. and the 60-year cycle is the reason why turning age 60 is such a big deal: it's a return to the exact year that matches the one you were born in. and whether it's coincidence or deliberate, because there are also twelve zodiac animals, the twelve periods of day also match up in order with that of the animals. as for the other terms to indicate time commonly seen and heard in wuxia novels and their adaptations (and ancient dramas in general), after sunset, the only way for the ancients to tell the time of day (or night, rather) was to have watchmen patrol the streets and strike a gong to announce the hour. the phrase 三更夜半 gives a very exact time of night: 3 gongs = midnight.
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Post by Admin on Jan 3, 2019 5:56:51 GMT
hohoho! Thanks a lot siuyiu When I read the historical fiction about Kangxi, I was a bit skeptical and I thought I didn't comprehend it right. The book mentioned that the emperor used to wake up at 3-5 AM and start to have an audience before the end of the period of the time. But yeah...apparently ancient people started their day really early.
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Post by siuyiu on Jan 4, 2019 1:30:51 GMT
hohoho! Thanks a lot siuyiu When I read the historical fiction about Kangxi, I was a bit skeptical and I thought I didn't comprehend it right. The book mentioned that the emperor used to wake up at 3-5 AM and start to have an audience before the end of the period of the time. But yeah...apparently ancient people started their day really early. you have to feel even more sorry for the officials who had to get up even before the emperor--in order to make it to the forbidden palace on time! don't forget they didn't live inside the palace and had to all be waiting in the proper lines for the emperor to appear (some of them waiting outside!). and then they had to kowtow on the cold, hard ground.
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Post by Admin on Jan 4, 2019 3:07:01 GMT
hohoho! Thanks a lot siuyiu When I read the historical fiction about Kangxi, I was a bit skeptical and I thought I didn't comprehend it right. The book mentioned that the emperor used to wake up at 3-5 AM and start to have an audience before the end of the period of the time. But yeah...apparently ancient people started their day really early. you have to feel even more sorry for the officials who had to get up even before the emperor--in order to make it to the forbidden palace on time! don't forget they didn't live inside the palace and had to all be waiting in the proper lines for the emperor to appear (some of them waiting outside!). and then they had to kowtow on the cold, hard ground. Yes, they have to report at the security in Wumen Gate at 3-5 AM in order to get into the palace. Let's say the emperor started at 4, then they have to be in Wumen at 3AM. But if the emperor was too diligent and started at 3.30...then From what I read from historical record of Kangxi, he ordered the imperial palace to provide congees and some warm convenient food for them while they're waiting. Especially for old ministers. Can't believe if the minister was 60 or 70 years old. Geez. siuyiu : do they have the concept of daylight saving? I notice in Beijing during summer, 4 AM is totally bright, but in winter time, 7AM is still pretty dark.
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Post by siuyiu on Jan 4, 2019 3:34:47 GMT
Admin i wish they would pass a law to abolish daylight savings time. it is such a nuisance and isn't good for the body. it's consigned jetlag twice a year, with none of the hotel amenities.
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Post by Admin on Jan 4, 2019 3:43:10 GMT
Admin i wish they would pass a law to abolish daylight savings time. it is such a nuisance and isn't good for the body. it's consigned jetlag twice a year, with none of the hotel amenities. ah really? Icic. I've never experienced it, so I have no say on it. But with such a drastic between summer and winter, I really feel pity for those who have to work early. In winter time sometimes at 7.30 AM it is still pretty dark. Imagine those who have to work at 6 or 5AM, it's really like having to start to work in the middle of the night. Perhaps because I used to live in equator that why I'm not used to it
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Post by siuyiu on Jan 4, 2019 4:36:47 GMT
Admin i wish they would pass a law to abolish daylight savings time. it is such a nuisance and isn't good for the body. it's consigned jetlag twice a year, with none of the hotel amenities. ah really? Icic. I've never experienced it, so I have no say on it. But with such a drastic between summer and winter, I really feel pity for those who have to work early. In winter time sometimes at 7.30 AM it is still pretty dark. Imagine those who have to work at 6 or 5AM, it's really like having to start to work in the middle of the night. Perhaps because I used to live in equator that why I'm not used to it well, you live in a country with one timezone, so there's convenience... though some DO have to work at 5AM as a result...
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