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#Pre-Qin Ritual System #Frost's Descent and Reversed Woman #Ice Thaw and Killing Cease #One Coitus in Ten Days #Rites of Zhou

The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman: An Inquiry into the Ritual, Heavenly Way, and Moderation of Pre-Qin Marriage Regulations

This article deeply interprets the twelve characters, 'The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman, Ice Thaws and Killing Ceases, One Coitus in Ten Days,' tracing their origins in Pre-Qin classics like the *Rites of Zhou* and the *Book of Rites*. It analyzes the underlying principles concerning temporal restrictions on marriage, Yin-Yang philosophy, agricultural governance considerations, and sexual moderation, aiming to reconstruct the core of Pre-Qin ritualistic thought.

Tianwen Editorial Team February 7, 2026 54 min read PDF Markdown
The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman: An Inquiry into the Ritual, Heavenly Way, and Moderation of Pre-Qin Marriage Regulations

Appendix 1: Conversion of Pre-Qin Calendars

Pre-Qin calendars varied (Shang, Zhou-Jiàn Zǐ, Xia-Jiàn Yín). The Spring and Autumn Annals used the Zhou calendar (starting in the 11th month). Careful conversion (often using the modern Xia calendar standard) is necessary to align historical events with the Frost/Ice markers.