Time Measurement in Ancient China
Time has always been an essential part of human life. From sunrise to sunset, societies have come up with various ways to measure the passing of time. In ancient China, time measurement was an important part of daily life as well as an essential part of Chinese culture.
Time measurement in China dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1700-1046 BC), when people started to use sundials and the so-called “Shang clepsydra” system to measure time. This system was a type of water clock that used a container to fill with water and drain out through holes to measure the passing of time. This system was used mainly by astronomers and astrologers as a way to chart the placement of heavenly bodies and calculate eclipses.
During the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1050–256 BC), the Chinese developed a more precise measurement system that involved dividing a day into 24 two-hour segments. These two-hour segments were referred to as “strap bands”, which corresponded to 12 regular-sized bells rung in a specific order each day. This system was not unlike what would eventually become the western 24-hour system.
In the Han Dynasty (c. 206 BC-220 AD), further innovations in time measurement included the invention of an hourglass-like clepsydra, which was believed to have been used by the royal court during the period. This hourglass-like clepsydra was used to measure the accumulation of time and indicate milestones during the day.
By the Tang Dynasty (618–907), mechanical clocks were becoming more popular in China. These clocks were usually constructed out of bronze or iron, and features interlocking gears and other mechanical parts. One example of a particularly impressive clock was the astronomical clock tower built in the Sui Dynasty (581-618), which featured an automated water wheel and some remarkable technology.
Throughout the ages, Chinese time measurement technology has changed and evolved, but the importance of accurately measuring time has remained the same. From ancient sundials and clepsydra to modern mechanical clocks, time measurement has been an essential part of Chinese culture for thousands of years.
