Chinese Cultural Club

It has been unbearably hot all over the world. On July 23, the Chinese Cultural Club invited Professor Kirk Xu, who discussed the division of 24 solar terms in a year, and ways of keeping in good health throughout the four seasons.

Xu explained the division of 24 solar terms in a year were developed by the ancients and defined by the Han dynasty, approximately in B.C. 104. It begins at the start of spring and ends with the greater cold, moving in cycles. In traditional ways, it was used as a time frame to direct production and daily routines. These cycles are important to farmers for guiding their practices.

In accordance with the 11th session of the Intergov-ernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, China’s declaration of “Twenty-Four Solar Terms - Time Knowledge System and Practice Formed by Chinese People by Observing the Sun’s Annual Movement” was selected by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO )Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

These solar terms also affect people’s body maintenance. Xu recommended things to eat and not eat in order to cater to the solar terms at that time. He explained in detail how to preserve health throughout the seasons. Xu also emphasized how increasing the immune system can effectively improve the physical functioning so people can gradually become stronger Chinese Cultural Club meets every other month, all residents are welcomed. For more information call Shirley Shen at 650-518-6360.

— Ivy Kung