History 2611E Lecture : Korean History Jan 23, 12
Document Summary
Based on the chinese calendar, lunisolar calendar. Combines lunar months and attempts to follow the solar cycle. Was the official calendar up till late 19th century. Main use today is for traditional festivals, divination, astrology. Day to day calendar is the western calendar. 10 heavenly branches, 12 earthly stems, possible combination of 60. One leap month every 2-3 years to keep up cycle. Combined with elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) Two stems per element, one yang and one yin. 12 year cycle, animal signs: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig. Done by bringing heavenly stems and earthly branches together. 1884 kapsin 1st heavenly branch and monkey year. 1894 kabo 1st heavenly branch, horse year. 2012 imjin 9th heavenly branch, dragon year. Put on traditional clothing, ancestral memorial ceremonies, visit and bow to older relatives (saebae) and get money.