On the Chinese Year

Abstract

After stating his opinion that the Chinese are possessed of no original astronomical knowledge, but that that which they possess is entirely of foreign origin, since in former times they even adopted the errors of European astronomers; and that the instruments mentioned by Du Halde as having been found by the missionaries on their first entrance into the country, were constructed by the Arabians; the author proceeds to confirm this opinion by an account of the division of the Chinese year, and a comparison of the Chinese with the European zodiac. The former is divided into twenty-eight constellations, and Mr. Davis has represented these in an annexed drawing, with the number of degrees affixed to each; from which it appears that they are extremely unequal, the largest consisting of 30°, and the least of not more than 5°. Of these constellations, Kio, which corresponds to a part of Virgo, is considered as the first in order; which is perhaps a proof, says the author, that in some former period their year commenced at this point. As far, however, as Mr. Davis’s information, the Chinese have no solar year, their year, properly considered, being a lunar year, consisting of twelve months, of twenty-nine and thirty days alternately, with the occasional addition of a thirteenth month, to make it correspond more nearly with the sun's course.