Beginning during Autumn Equinox and ending during Cold Dew, the Hangzhou Asian Games spanned two of China’s traditional solar terms. The 24 solar terms that make up the Chinese calendar were invented in ancient times to mark the passing of the seasons. They are now also often used to celebrate the nation’s big events.
Traditional Chinese culture featured prominently in the Games’ opening ceremony on September 23 and the closing ceremony on October 8. While the ceremonies highlighted the solar terms, which were added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural ( means —harmony and —cooperation) culture was a common thread that ran through them.
