24절기와 세시 체계의 의미와 상관성에 대한 연구

Abstract

In this study, we examine how the 24 solar-terms (節氣) system was historically formed and calendrical meaning of each term. We also analyze its meaningful changes for convenience as a humanistic time scale at various levels. In addition, we look at how seasonal holidays (歲時) were allocated on an old Korean lunisolar calendar and what this meant. We explore relevant facts between 24 solar-terms and seasonal holidays and survey the folk events related to these facts. It is found that the 8 cardinal solar-terms were first established in spring- and-autumn warring-states period of China and the 24 solar-term (節氣) system as the present one was completed in Huainan zi (淮南子, 139 BCE) of Han dynasty. The 24 solar-term system functions as a reference to match a lunation (synodical month) of the lunisolar calendar to seasons and coincidently tells the seasonal change of this calendar as the basic indicator in the traditional society. The designation of the 24 solar-terms were found to inform not only the basic seasonal changes but also weather and climate, precipitation and snowfall or hydrography. It was understood that 24 solar-terms as the astronomical time system was reduced to a humanistic time scale indispensable for human society. Meanwhile, seasonal holidays were determined based on several regularities; solar and lunar periods, same-and-odd date (3rd 3, 5th 5, ...), date counted from 12 earthly branches, religious holiday, royal holiday, and so on. Separately from the astronomical time system, seasonal holidays were arranged for humanistic reasons or religious commemorations. We finally examine the correlation between 24 solar-terms and seasonal holidays. As a seasonal holiday is a basic framework to maintain its unity with the seasons, the 24 solar-terms were recognized as a astronomical time concept preceded by a humanistic time concept for a seasonal holiday. The folk phenomenon was abundant based on the coexistence and concurrency between 24 solar-terms and seasonal holidays. In particular, some seasonal holidays have been harmonized with the climate or the human life cycle by flexibly operating those dates based on 24 solar-terms such as the Winter solstice, the Summer solstice, the Beginning of autumn and so forth. 24 solar-terms and seasonal holidays are closely related while respectively maintaining a different system and formed a complex time system in which a yearly interval was harmoniously operated.