What do ancient people think of time?

1, an ancient standard for observing the shadow of the sun.

We often say "measuring shadow by pole", that is, putting a pole on the ground and measuring its shadow length at noon, so as to determine the direction, time and solar terms.

Through the study of these lacquer poles, we found that the ancients were very clever, and they could be used to determine the solar terms about 4000 years ago, and even influenced the formation of the country.

In addition to the shadow measuring rod, copper gauge is also a common instrument for observing astronomical phenomena in ancient times. You can see bronze watches at Nanjing Purple Mountain Observatory and Beijing Ancient Observatory.

In order to obtain more accurate shadow length, Guo Shoujing in Ming Dynasty built an eight-foot-high meter. With this longer and larger ruler, the length of the shadow can be measured very accurately.

2. The specific transformation of time

In addition to judging time by the length of shadows, the ancients also tried various methods to leave time on the ground. For example, Su Song, an astronomer in the Northern Song Dynasty, and others created a large astronomical instrument-the Waterborne Instrument Observatory.

This is an armillary sphere for observing astronomical phenomena, an armillary sphere for demonstrating astronomical phenomena, and a mechanical device for measuring time leakage and telling time, so that the ancients can leave time on the ground very accurately and convey it to the public by telling time.

Extended data:

There are two main types of timers designed by mechanical principle. One type uses fluid mechanics to time, and then there are notches and hourglasses. One uses mechanical transmission structure to time, including armillary sphere and water transport instrument.

There is also a sundial, which uses astronomical principles (mostly measuring time according to the direction of the sun's shadow) and is also one of the oldest timepieces in China.

There is an ancient observatory called Qin in Jianguomen, Beijing, which is the predecessor of the National Astronomical Observatory. Qin has many things to do, among which the most important function is to observe images and give time.

After observing the time, astronomers will broadcast the time to the public. For example, the bell and drum tower in Beijing plays an important role in telling time.

In the past, when there were no clocks and watches, there were morning bells and evening drums every day. At night, people would beat gongs and drums and walk the streets to call for time. Every specific time, the Drum Tower in Beijing will beat drums and even perform, which is not only a kind of time telling, but also a display of imperial power.

References:

Baidu encyclopedia-ancient Chinese timer