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Quanshi rizhi yuanliu 全史日至源流

Mar 17, 2025 © Ulrich Theobald

Quanshi rizhi yuanliu 全史日至源流 "The origin and development of the solar calendar according to the [official] histories" is a book on astronomy written by Xu Bozheng 許伯政 (dates unknown), courtesy name Huitang 惠棠 or Shiyun 石雲, from Baling 巴陵 (today's Yueyang 岳陽, Hunan). He obtained the jinshi degree during the mid- or late 18th century and also wrote the Classical studies Yishen 易深, Shishen 詩深 and Chunqiu shen 春秋深.

The primary aim of this work of 32 (actually 33) juan is to examine whether the records of new moons, solar terms, and intercalary months in the Classics and historical commentaries align with actual celestial phenomena and to correct any inaccuracies in these records. The first three fascicles discuss the methods of astronomical calculation, essentially following Xu's principles for determining new moons (tuisuan zhishuo 推算至朔). The subsequent thirty fascicles compile a continuous calendar spanning 4,000 years, from the era of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di 黃帝) to the Ming period 明 (1368-1644). This comprehensive calendar allows for the verification and correction of historical dates recorded in classical texts and historical accounts.

The text is included in the series Bilinlangguan congshu 碧琳瑯館叢書, Baqianjuanlou congshu 八千卷樓叢書 and Siku quanshu 四庫全書.

Source:
Li Xueqin 李學勤, and Lü Wenyu 呂文郁, eds. 1996. Siku da cidian 四庫大辭典, vol. 2, 1738. Changchun: Jilin daxue chubanshe.