Design Description

At noon on each of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, the sun’s silhouette falls upon the engraved marker, marking the arrival of the season in due course. The solar terms represent not only the order underlying medical principles, but also serve as architectural markers.

Among the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, Lichun (Beginning of Spring), Lixia (Beginning of Summer), Liqiu (Beginning of Autumn), and Lidong (Beginning of Winter) mark the commencement of the four seasons. Throughout the year, spring gives birth, summer fosters growth, autumn brings harvest, and winter stores — each follows its own natural law.

• Spring: Lichun (Beginning of Spring), Yushui (Rain Water), Jingzhe (Awakening of Insects), Chunfen (Spring Equinox), Qingming (Clear and Bright), and Guyu (Grain Rain)
• Summer: Lixia (Beginning of Summer), Xiaoman (Grain Full), Mangzhong (Grain in Ear), Xiazhi (Summer Solstice), Xiaoshu (Minor Heat), and Dashu (Major Heat)
• Autumn: Liqiu (Beginning of Autumn), Chushu (End of Heat), Bailu (White Dew), Qiufen (Autumn Equinox), Hanlu (Cold Dew), and Shuangjiang (Frost Descent)
• Winter: Lidong (Beginning of Winter), Xiaoxue (Minor Snow), Daxue (Major Snow), Dongzhi (Winter Solstice), Xiaohan (Minor Cold), Dahan (Major Cold)

The principle of health preservation in accordance with nature — “rise with the sun and rest at sunset” — is reflected throughout the transformations of the four seasons:

Spring — yang qi begins to ascend and all things revive; this is “spring giving birth”. One should retire at night and rise early, engage in stretching and gentle walking, and thereby accord with the upward and outward movement of yang qi.

Summer — yang qi flourishes and all things grow luxuriantly; this is “summer growth”. One should rise early and remain active, making good use of sunlight. At the same time, one should avoid excessive heat, replenish fluids, prevent over-perspiration from damaging to thin body fluid, and nourish the heart while calming the mind.

Autumn — yang qi gradually withdraws while yin gradually increases; the weather turns cool and dry, marking “autumn harvest”. One should sleep early and rise early to preserve yang qi, consume foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness, and reduce pungent foods so as not to injure lung qi.

Winter — yang qi is stored internally and all things return to concealment; this is “winter storage”. At this time, yin waxing with yang waning. One should retire early and rise later, begin activities after sunrise, keep warm and conserve essence, and avoid disturbing yang qi.

By following the principle of “protecting yang in spring and summer, and nourishing yin in autumn and winter”, and treating according to time, one embodies the art of seasonal health preservation in Chinese medicine.