‍The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially "inscribed" China's "The Twenty-Four Solar Terms" on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The decision recognizes the cultural and historical importance of one of the most ancient methods developed to divide up the year in the world that is still in use today. The Twenty-Four Solar Terms gives a new name to the position of the sun every time it travels 15 degrees on the ecliptic longitude. These solar terms have meaningful titles and often reflect what is happening to the seasons at the time or what is happening to flora and fauna at a particular time of the year.

The UN formally recognized the importance of the system on Wednesday during the 11th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

 

During the meeting, the representatives of 24 States Parties to UNESCO's Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, are examining 37 requests for inscription on the Representative List.

"On behalf of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, my delegation would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the community members, evaluation body and the secretariat for your great effort on the examination and inscription of the 24 Solar Terms," said Zhang Ling, an official of Chinese Delegation.

This is the third inscribed element submitted by China that falls under the UNESCO category of knowledge and practices concerning nature and universe as defined in the 2003 convention, according to Zhang.

"As a traditional knowledge system of time that enjoys thousands of years of inter-generational transmission, the 24 Solar Terms clearly embodies the concepts of respect for nature, and harmony between man and nature," she added.

"We believe that the inscription of the 24 Solar Terms on the Representative List will not only enhance cultural identity of communities and groups concerned but also contributes to ensuring visibility and awareness of the significance of the ICH ( Intangible Cultural Heritage) in general," she noted.

(Adapted from Xinhua News Agency)