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Shenyou(申酉):
In Chinese, it is pronounced as: shēn yǒu,Written as:

Shenyou is a Time Period in the ancient Chinese system of timekeeping. A day was divided into twelve Time Periods, with each equivalent to two modern-day hours. Shen and You are two of these Time Periods. In the ancient Chinese twelve-hour system, Shen represents the time between 3 PM and 5 PM, while You represents the time between 5 PM and 7 PM.
Together, Shenyou corresponds to the time from 3 PM to 7 PM. During this period, the sun is already leaning west, the sky gradually dims, and people begin to wrap up their work, prepare dinner, and get ready for the evening rest. This method of timekeeping reflects the ancient people’s deep understanding of time and the natural rhythm.
By dividing the day into such Time Periods, people could better organize their daily lives and agricultural activities, illustrating the ancient people’s respect for time and natural laws. This timekeeping system held a significant place in ancient Chinese culture, and it continues to be preserved and passed down through many cultural and traditional practices today.

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