Eclipse

The earliest eclipse of the sun recorded in Chinese history is that which took place in the reign of Yu ® (b.c. 781-770), recorded 20 in the Sfiih Ching Pt. II, Bk. 4, Ode 9. Nature was supposed to show thereby its disapproval of the Emperor 'fi conduct with regard to Pag Ssu (q.v.). The date (28th cyclic day in the beginning of 10th moon) was August 29, 776 B.C. and Chavannes claims it is accurate to the day. Reliable chronology begins with this date. In the Ch'un Ch'iu Confucitts records 37 eclipses of the sun between B.C. 720 and B.C. 481. Of these according to E. H. Parker twelve are fairly correct and the rest remain to be examined. The common idea of an eclipse is that a monster is swallowing sun or moon; gongs and drums are used vigorously to drive the monster off and save the luminary. The Chinese terms Q U jih shih, IMG:p165_4.png:Chinese characters gj yiieh shih, mean the eating up of the sun and moon respectively,