Overview
Key data
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Completed | 239 BCE (eighth year of King Zheng of Qin) |
| Compilers | Lü Buwei and his retainers |
| Structure | Twelve纪, eight览, six论 |
| Astronomically relevant | The opening chapters of the twelve纪; the “Having a Beginning” section |
The structure of the twelve纪
The work is framed by twelve纪, each divided into three chapters for the first, second and third month of a season;
the opening chapter of each gives the stars, seasonal signs and orders for its month, in substance the same as the “Monthly Ordinances” of the Book of Rites.
The “Monthly Ordinances” and the opening chapters of the Lüshi Chunqiu are of one origin, and are generally held to derive from a common source;
read side by side, each can correct the other’s errors.
Astronomy and cosmology
Beyond the twelve纪, the “Having a Beginning” section treats the origin of heaven and earth, the names of the nine fields and the field-allocation system;
the chapters “Great Music” and “The Round Way” discuss the circular motion of heaven.
The chapter “The Round Way” in particular argues from the circularity of heaven, and is material for the cosmology of the time.
Value
The work gathers many doctrines and preserves a great deal of pre-Qin learning.
For the history of the calendar its twelve纪 are an important branch of the “Monthly Ordinances” line,
standing with the “Monthly Ordinances” of the Book of Rites and the “Seasonal Ordinances” of the Huainanzi as three of a kind.
Compiled and arranged by Chujia Kuang.