Mysterious Tibetan Calendar
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Mysterious Tibetan Calendar

Update: Dec. 24th, 2012

Tibetan Is Calculating Tibetan Calendar

Introduction of Tibetan Calendar Calculation

The presently used Tibetan Calendar was put into operation in 1027. It developed from original Tibetan simple calendar calculation, by combining Indian Shilun Calendar and the "Shixian Caldendar" which was introduced into Tibetan by Princess Wencheng. Until now, Tibetan calendar calculation is a very complete and scientific calendar calculation system. It was praised as "the most authentic calendar calculation" by Chinese Academy of Sciences. At the same time, it also successfully declared "Non Material Cultural Heritage" and got high attention.

Tibetan calendar calculation is very complex. Even though you know Tibetan language, you may only get some simple information and some marks.

Difference between Tibetan Calendar and Lunar Calendar

As early as 100 B.C., there was calendar calculation in Tibet. At that time, people calculated month based on the changes of moon. Although the calculation at that time was simple, it also proved the long history of Tibetan calendar calculation.

With the communication of Han culture and Tibetan culture, Tibetan calendar gradually closed up to Chinese traditional calendar. For example, Tibetan calendar also divided one year into two months, and with large months and small months. The large month is 30 days and the small month is 29 days.

Of course, there are many differences between Tibetan Calendar and Lunar Calendar. First of all, Tibetan Calendar does not regard the day of new moon as the first day, but fixes the day of full moon as the fifteenth day. Secondly, the leap month in Tibetan Calendar and Lunar Calendar is also different. In addition, there are double day and leap day in Tibetan calendar to match the order of solar day and lunar day. If there is no double day and leap day in the month, this month is called "auspicious month".

Tibetan Almanac

The cover of Tibetan Almanac will change with year. If this is Soil Year, the cover of almanac is yellow which presents soil. If this year is Water Year, the cover is blue. The cover is green in Wooden Year, red in Fire Year. Tibetan Almanac not only includes the way of numbering year, month and day, but also includes forecast of astronomical event, trend of weather and natural disasters. It guides the farming and working in different prefectures, passes on the knowledge of picking up hundreds kinds of Tibetan medicines in different seasons. It even concludes the regular pattern of human pulse in the four seasons of one year. The rich content of Tibetan Almanac is rarely found in other almanac.

Instrument of Tibetan Calendar Calculation

Saxiong Wood, means "sand table" in Chinese, is a special instrument of Tibetan calendar calculation. It is a kind of rectangle wooden table which made up of walnut wood. In the secret compartment on the left side, there is the regolith which unearthed from the root of grass. When use, first lean the wooden table for 45 degree so that the regolith can flow to the table. Then, use hand to smooth the regolith. At last, use iron prod or pegwood to calculate the calendar on regolith. The complicate computational formula and result are remembered by calendar calculation specialists. They never use paper to record a variety of calculation results since paper was very expensive in ancient Tibet. Until now, Saxiong Wood is also widely used by calendar calculation specialists. It is said that one of Tibetan calendar calculation specialist ever used seven iron prods on the sand table. From this, we can see how complicate the calendar calculation is.

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