Why Time Does Not Exist in Ancient Chinese Thought

What is time?
In traditional Chinese thought, time was not understood as something entirely separate from the physical world. It could be recognized through changes in space: the position of the sun, the movement of shadows, the turning of the seasons, and the relationship between Heaven and Earth.

In this video, we begin with Lì Qiū (立秋), the Beginning of Autumn, and explore the traditional concept of 觀象授時 (guān xiàng shòu shí) — “observe the heavens and set the seasons.”

By observing celestial phenomena, the ancient Chinese developed an ordered system of calendars, the 24 Solar Terms, and seasonal practices that guided agriculture and everyday life. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter were therefore not simply divisions on a calendar; they reflected observable changes in the cosmos and provided a rhythm for human activity.

This leads to a distinctive way of thinking about time: time as a reflection of space and of the changing relationship between Heaven and Earth.

This video is adapted from a longer HECHINESE members’ course exploring Lì Qiū and the traditional Chinese understanding of seasonal life.

For the complete course and further lessons on Chinese language, culture, and traditional thought, continue learning with us on Substack:
https://wenyanwen201609.substack.com/