The Huainanzi
Page 27
If during the first month of spring the ordinances of summer were carried out, then there would be unseasonable winds and rain; plants and trees would wither early; and there would be fear in the state. If the ordinances of autumn were carried out, the people would suffer epidemics; violent winds and torrential rains would arrive at the same time; and thorns, weeds, briars, and overgrowth would spring up together. If the ordinances of winter were carried out, floods would create ruin, and there would be rain, frost, and great hailstones. The first-sown seeds would not sprout. [5/39/13–14]
The first month governs the Master of Works. Its tree is the willow.5 [5/39/16]
5.2
In the middle month of spring, Zhaoyao points to mao [E]. [The lunar lodge] Bow culminates at dusk; Establishing Stars culminates at dawn. [Spring] occupies the east. Its days are jia and yi. Its beasts are [those of the] scaly [class]. Its [pentatonic] note is jue. The pitch pipe [of the second month] is Pinched Bell. The number [of spring] is eight. Its flavor is sour. Its smell is rank. Its sacrifices are made to the door god. From the body of the sacrificial victim, the spleen is offered first.
The rains begin. Peaches and pears begin to blossom. The oriole sings. Hawks metamorphose into pigeons. The Son of Heaven wears bluegreen clothing. He mounts [a carriage drawn by] azure dragon [horses]. He wears azure jade [pendants] and flies a bluegreen banner. He eats wheat with mutton. He drinks water gathered from the eight winds and cooks with fire [kindled from] fern stalks. The imperial ladies of the Eastern Palace wear bluegreen clothing with bluegreen trim. They play the qin and the se. The weapon [of spring] is the spear. The domestic animal [of spring] is the sheep. [The Son of Heaven] holds the dawn session of court in the Bluegreen Yang [chamber of the Mingtang]. He orders those in authority to ameliorate penal servitude and to cause manacles and fetters to be struck off. [There is to be] no flogging, and criminal trials are halted. The young and the small are to be nourished [and] the orphaned and childless protected in order that [these policies] may communicate [their efficacy] to the growing sprouts.6 He chooses an auspicious7 day and orders the people [to sacrifice] at shrines. [5/39/18–23]
In this month, the days and nights are equally divided. The sound of thunder begins to be heard. Hibernating insects all stir and revive. Anticipating the thunder by three days, [he sends messengers to] strike bells with wooden clappers, proclaiming among the people, “The thunder is about to sound forth. Those who are not careful of their demeanor [and] who give birth without taking [appropriate] precautions will surely suffer catastrophes.” He orders the Master of Markets to make uniform all weights and measures: the jun, the steelyard, the dan, the catty, the peck, and the pail. [In this month, one must] not drain rivers and marshes, draw off water from embanked ponds, set fire to the mountain forests, or undertake any large-scale works such as would impede the efficiency of farming. In sacrifices, animal victims are not used; [rather] one uses [jade] scepters and disks, fur pelts, and rolls of [silk] cloth. [5/39/25–5/40/2]
If during the second month of spring the autumn ordinances were carried out, the country [would suffer] great floods and cold winds at the same time. Bandits and Rong [barbarians] would attack. If the ordinances of winter were carried out, the yang qi would not prevail; wheat would not ripen; and the people thereby would suffer great ruin. If the ordinances of summer were carried out, the country [would suffer] great drought, [and] hot qi would arrive prematurely. Insect pests would wreak havoc. [5/40/4–5]
The second month governs the granary. Its tree is the almond. [5/40/7]
5.3
In the final month of spring, Zhaoyao points to chen [ESE]. [The lunar lodge] Seven Stars culminates at dusk; Ox Leader culminates at dawn. [Spring] occupies the east. Its days are jia and yi. Its beasts are [those of the] scaly [class]. Its [pentatonic] note is jue. The pitch pipe [of the third month] is Maiden Purity. The number [of spring] is eight. Its flavor is sour. Its smell is rank. Its sacrifices are made to the door god. From the body of the sacrificial victim, the spleen is offered first.
The tong tree begins to bloom. Fieldmice transform into quail. Rainbows first appear. Duckweed begins to sprout. The Son of Heaven wears bluegreen clothing. He mounts [a carriage drawn by] azure dragon [horses]. He wears azure jade [pendants] and flies a bluegreen banner. He eats wheat with mutton. He drinks water gathered from the eight winds and cooks with fire [kindled from] fern stalks. The imperial ladies of the Eastern Palace wear bluegreen clothing with bluegreen trim. They play the qin and the se. The weapon [of spring] is the spear. The domestic animal [of spring] is the sheep. [The Son of Heaven] holds the dawn session of court in the corner [chamber of the Mingtang] to the right of the Bluegreen Yang Chamber. [He orders] the Master of Boats to turn over the boats [to inspect them] five times over and five times back and then to deliver a report [on their condition] to the Son of Heaven. The Son of Heaven thereupon8 boards his boats for the first time [in the new year]. A sturgeon is offered in the inner chamber of the [ancestral] temple, and prayers are made that the wheat should bear grain. [5/40/9–13]
In this month, the production of qi reaches its fullest, [and] yang qi is released. Young plants grow no more, and the sprouting plants attain their maximum growth, but they cannot [yet] be gathered in. The Son of Heaven orders those in authority to open the granaries and storehouses to assist the impoverished and the bereft, to relieve the exhausted and [those who are] cut off [from their families], and to open the strong rooms and treasuries to distribute rolls of silk. He sends embassies to the nobles, inquires after eminent scholars, and performs courtesies to the worthy. He orders the Minister of Works, when the seasonal rains are about to descend, to mount his carriage as the water descends and, following all of the roads from the capital city, make an inspection of the plains and uncultivated fields, repairing the dikes and embankments, channeling the ditches and watercourses, following to its end every road and comprehending every byway,
beginning at the metropolis,
stopping [only] upon reaching the border.
Those who hunt, [whether with] nets or with arrows, with rabbit snares or bird nets, or by putting out poisoned bait, are prohibited from going out from the nine gates [of the city]. [The Son of Heaven] also [issues] a prohibition to the foresters in the wilderness, [saying that there must be] no cutting down of mulberry trees or cudrania trees.9 The turtledove spreads its wings, [and] the crested hoepoe lands in the mulberry tree. Preparing plain cocoon frames,10 round baskets and rectangular baskets, the royal consort and the royal concubines fast and perform austerities. Then they go11 to the mulberry [groves] in the eastern suburbs where
the lady overseers initiate
and supervise [the work of] sericulture.12
[He] commands [those in charge of] the five storehouses to order the workmen to inspect the gold and iron, the pelts and hides, the sinew and horn, the arrowshaft bamboo and the bow-wood, the grease and glue, the cinnabar and lac, [seeing to it that] there is none that is not excellent. Selecting an auspicious day in the last ten-day period of the month, [he holds] a great musical performance, which brings jubilation. Moreover [he orders] bulls to be mated with cows and stallions with mares; afterward the female animals are driven out to their herdsmen. He orders on behalf of the kingdom an exorcism at the nine gates [of the capital city], [and] sacrificial [animal victims] are torn apart in order to bring an end to the qi of springtime.
If the ordinances for this month are observed, sweet rain will fall during the three ten-day periods of the month. [5/40/15–22] If during the last month of spring the ordinances of winter were carried out, then cold qi would from time to time issue forth; all the plants and trees would wither; and the state would [suffer] great fear. If the ordinances of summer were carried out, the people would [suffer] epidemics; the seasonal rains would not fall; and nothing would grow on the mountains and tumuli. If the ordinances of autumn were carried out, Heaven would produce a flood of yin. Rains would fall [unseasonably] early, [and] military reb
ellions would break out. [5/40/24–25]
The third month governs villages. Its tree is the pear. [5/40/27]
5.4
In the first month of summer, Zhaoyao points to si [SSE]. [The lunar lodge] Wings culminates at dusk; [the constellation] Widow culminates at dawn. [Summer] occupies the south. Its days are bing and ding. The fullness of Potency is in Fire. Its beasts are [those of the] feathered [class]. Its [pentatonic] note is zhi. The pitch pipe [of the fourth month] is Median Regulator. The number [of summer] is seven. Its flavor is bitter. Its smell is burnt. Its sacrifices are made to the stove god. From the body of the sacrificial victim, the lungs are offered first.
Crickets and tree frogs sing on the hillsides; earthworms emerge. The king melon [begins to] set fruit. Bitter herbs flourish. The Son of Heaven wears vermilion clothing. He mounts [a carriage drawn by] black-maned vermilion horses. He wears vermilion jade [pendants] and flies a vermilion banner. He eats legumes with chicken. He drinks water gathered from the eight winds and cooks with fire [kindled from] cudrania branches. The imperial ladies of the Southern Palace wear vermilion clothing with vermilion trim. They play reed pipes and mouth organs. The weapon [of summer] is the glaive.13 The domestic animal [of summer] is the chicken. [The Son of Heaven] holds the dawn session of court in the corner [chamber of the Mingtang] to the left of the Mingtang Chamber, in order to promulgate the summer ordinances. [5/41/1–5]
On the first day of summer, the Son of Heaven personally leads the Three Sires, the Nine Lords, and the great nobles to welcome the year at [the altar of] the southern suburbs. Returning [from this ceremony], he bestows favors, enfeoffs nobles, rectifies ceremonials and music, and gives a feast for [the officials of] the left and the right. He commands the Intendant-General to single out for praise the heroic and meritorious, to select the eminent and excellent, and to raise up the filial and fraternal. He carries out [ceremonies of] ennoblement and issues official emoluments; assisting [the work of] Heaven, he increases the nurture [of the people], lengthens what is long [and] piles up what is high. [There must be] no destructive or vicious [behavior]. It is prohibited to build up earthen [fortifications] or to cut down great trees. He orders the foresters to travel [through] the cultivated fields and the plains, to encourage the practices of agriculture, and to drive away [both] wild and domestic animals so as not to permit them to harm the [growing] grain. The Son of Heaven takes a pig [and] sacrificial wheat and presents them as the first offerings in the inner chamber of the [ancestral] temple. Domestic animals are rounded up, and the hundred medicinal herbs [are gathered]. The fragile grassy plants die, and wheat attains its autumn growth. Minor criminal cases are decided, and petty punishments are carried out. [5/41/7–10]
If during the first month of summer the autumn ordinances were carried out, then bitter rains would come on numerous occasions. The grain would not be nourished [by that rain]. Neighboring peoples on four sides would penetrate [the country’s] defensive fortifications. If the ordinances of winter were carried out, the plants and trees would dry up early; thereafter there would be floods, destroying the city walls and outer fortifications. If the ordinances of spring were carried out, grasshoppers and locusts would cause devastation; scorching winds would come and attack [the fields, so that] the flourishing plants would not bear seed. [5/41/12–13]
The fourth month governs the tilled fields. Its tree is the peach. [5/41/15]
5.5
In the second month of summer, Zhaoyao points to wu [S]. [The lunar lodge] Neck culminates at dusk; [the lodge] Rooftop culminates at dawn. [Summer] occupies the south. Its days are bing and ding. Its beasts are [those of the] feathered [class]. Its [pentatonic] note is zhi. The pitch pipe [of the fifth month] is Luxuriant. The number [of summer] is seven. Its flavor is bitter. Its smell is burnt. Its sacrifices are made to the stove god. From the body of the sacrificial victim, the lungs are offered first.
The Lesser Heat arrives; mantises are born. The shrike begins to cry; the turn-tongue is not heard.14 The Son of Heaven wears vermilion clothing. He mounts [a carriage drawn by] black-maned vermilion horses. He wears vermilion jade [pendants] and flies a vermilion banner. He eats legumes with chicken. He drinks water gathered from the eight winds and cooks with fire [kindled from] cudrania branches. The imperial ladies of the Southern Palace wear vermilion clothing with vermilion trim. They play reed pipes and mouth organs. The weapon [of summer] is the glaive. The domestic animal [of summer] is the chicken. [The Son of Heaven] holds the dawn session of court in the Mingtang Great Chamber. He commands the Music Master to repair the hand drums and kettle drums, the qin and the se, the flutes and panpipes; to polish the bells and chimestones; and to attend to the [ceremonial] shields, battle-axes, haldberds, and feather plumes [used in war dances].
[He] commands those in authority to pray and sacrifice to the mountains, rivers, and the hundred [= all] river sources. In the great prayer to the gods for rain, a full panoply of music is employed. The Son of Heaven takes a chicken [and] the sacrificial pannicled millet, along with a sacrificial offering of ripe peaches, and presents them [all] as first offerings in the inner temple of the [ancestral] temple. [He] issues prohibitions to the people, [saying that they must] not reap indigo for dyeing, bake charcoal, or dry bolts of cloth in the sun. City and village gates must not be closed, [and] taxes must not be levied on markets. Serious criminal cases are put off, and [the prisoners’] rations are increased. Widows and widowers are preserved [from want], and relief is distributed to [those incurring] funeral expenses. The [pregnant] female animals are separated out from the herds, [and] stallions and colts are tied up. [The ruler] promulgates regulations for [the raising of] horses. [5/41/17–24]
The longest day [of the year] arrives. Yin and yang contend. Life and death reach a dividing point. The nobles fast and perform austerities. They display no angry emotions, refrain from music and sex, and eat meagerly. Officials all rest in tranquillity from their duties and do not travel abroad; [all this] in order to make definite the establishment of the serene [forces of] yin. Deer shed their antlers, [and] cicadas begin to sing. The half-summer plant begins to grow, [and] the hibiscus tree blooms. A prohibition is issued to the people, [saying] they must not set fires. [But] it is permitted to dwell in high places [so as to] see clearly into the distance, to climb on hills and mounds, and to stay on estrades and towers. [5/41/26–28]
If during the middle month of summer the ordinances of winter were carried out, hail and sleet would damage the grain; the roads would be impassable; and fierce armies would invade. If the ordinances of spring were carried out, the five kinds of grain would not ripen; all kinds of destructive insects would spring up during the season; and the country would suffer famine. If the ordinances of autumn were carried out, the plants and trees would droop and fall; fruits and grains would ripen prematurely; and the people would suffer calamities of pestilence. [5/42/1–2]
The fifth month governs functionaries. Its tree is the elm. [5/42/4]
5.6
In the final month of summer, Zhaoyao points to wei [SSW]. [The lunar lodge] Heart culminates at dusk; [the lodge] Stride culminates at dawn. [Midsummer] occupies the center. Its days are wu and jia. The fullness of Potency is in Earth. Its beasts are [those of the] naked [class].15 Its [pentatonic] note is gong. The pitch pipe [of the sixth month] is Hundred Bell.16 The number [of midsummer] is five. Its flavor is sweet. Its smell is fragrant. Its sacrifices are made to the [god of the] drain hole. From the body of the sacrificial victim, the heart is offered first.
The cool winds begin to arrive, [and] crickets dwell in the snug corners [of the house]. [Young] geese begin to practice flying, [and] rotting vegetation transforms into millipedes.17 The Son of Heaven wears yellow clothing. He mounts [a carriage drawn by] black-maned yellow horses. He wears yellow jade [pendants] and flies a yellow banner. He eats millet with beef. He drinks water gathered from the eight winds and cooks with fire [kindled from] cudrania branches. The imperial ladies of the Central Palace wea
r yellow clothing with yellow trim. They play reed pipes and mouth organs. The weapon [of midsummer] is the sword. The domestic animal [of midsummer] is the ox. [The Son of Heaven] holds the dawn session of court in the Central Palace [chamber of the Mingtang]. [He] commands the Master of Fisheries to spear scaly dragons, capture alligators, fetch up turtles [from the depths], and capture sea turtles. [He] commands the Marsh Masters to present timber and rushes. [He] commands the four supervisory lords to order all districts [to present] the customary [amount of] fodder to feed the sacrificial beasts. In service to the Supreme Thearch of August Heaven,18 the illustrious mountains, the great rivers, and the gods of the four directions, he sacrifices millet in the great sanctuary of the [ancestral] temple, praying for the prosperity of the people.
[He] carries out benefactions, commanding that the dead should be mourned, the sick inquired after, and the elderly protected and cared for. He causes bran and gruel to be sent to them and sees to it that their sleeping mats are [comfortably] thick. [All this is] to speed the myriad things on their return [journey as the year begins to wane]. [He] commands the officials of the women’s [quarters] to dye [fabrics] in various hues and multicolored designs, patterned and ornamented, bluegreen, yellow, white, and black. There may be none that are not beautiful and fine. [This is to] provide new vestments for the ancestral temple: There must be a display of [things] that are brightly new. [5/42/6–13]
In this month, the trees that were planted are fully flourishing, [and] one must not dare cut them. It is not permitted to call an assembly of the nobles, to raise earthworks, to recruit corvée labor, or to call up armies. [If these things were done], Heaven inevitably would call down calamities. The soil is richly wet from the humid heat, and the great rains fall in season, beneficially bringing to an end the life cycle of the grassy plants. It is permitted to19 fertilize the fields and to enrich the boundary strips between the fields. [5/42/15–16]