Introduction

The ancient Chinese people developed an intricate system of timekeeping based on the careful observation of climate patterns, natural phenomena, and daily experiences. This wisdom crystallized into a rich tapestry of seasonal activities and festivals, structured around multiple time scales: one year, four seasons, eight festivals, twelve monthly observances, twenty-four solar terms, and seventy-two pentads. Each period had has its practices and festival cultures, all carefully synchronized with the calendar and seasonal rhythms.

The Qing dynasty was established by the nomadic Manchus. Even before their conquest of the Ming dynasty, Manchu rulers had immersed themselves in Ming institutional practices. After consolidating their rule, they largely followed Han Chinese seasonal customs and festivals, and adhered to a temporal framework that aligned daily activities and agricultural work with celestial movements and seasonal changes. At the same time, Manchu and Mongolian customs were evident everywhere in seasonal activities and festival culture, demonstrating a unique blend of traditions that reflected the dynasty's multicultural nature.

Through selected seasonal artifacts from the National Palace Museum collection, we invite you to explore traditional temporal cycles. The three sections of this exhibition—Annual Cycles, Festival Celebrations, and Seasonal Rhythms—reveal how the Qing court marked the passage of time throughout spring, summer, autumn, and winter.