📖 Meaning
The four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) and the eight key solar terms (start of each season plus the equinoxes and solstices). It broadly refers to all the traditional seasonal divisions and festivals throughout the year, often used in contexts of customs and rituals observed at these times.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase traces back to the Tang dynasty. Ma Zong's 'Yilin' quoted the ancient text 'Suichaozi,' stating that ghosts and spirits established the four seasons and eight solar terms to record time and nurture the people. The poet Du Fu also used the phrase in his poem 'Short Song for Fourth Brother,' noting that even siblings continued to observe formal etiquette at each of the four seasons and eight festivals.
💡 Example Usage
每逢四时八节，奶奶总要备好丰盛的供品祭拜祖先。
At every seasonal festival throughout the year, grandmother would always prepare abundant offerings to honor the ancestors.
🏷️ Category
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🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 四时八节
- Pinyin: sì shí bā jié
- Literal Translation: four, seasons, eight, solar terms
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4