On the Unsuitability of Sheng Kuo's Calendar As A Modern Civil Calendar

Sheng Kuo predicted that the calendar with 12 solar terms would bo an advanced calendar,but he failed to tell in advance the details of ihc development of the future society;and therefore his calendar is not suitable for being used as a modern civil calendar.This problem was discussed as far back as 1910s and 1920s, and two historical data and an episode of recollections arc cited to discribe the discussions in this present arlicle.Today,the fact is put forward again that this calendar is not suitable for being luxcl as a civil calendar because the days of each month and those of each season can not be fixed-and therefore it can not meet the needs of the society like statistics.By the way,the political power of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom should be affirmed,but the Heavenly Calendar drawn up by the power can not be called as the Twelve-Solar-Term Calendar,for the error of the length of the tropical year used is astonishingly great.Therefore,the Heavenly Calendar should be negated.