From Journey to the West, we learn that ancient Chinese emperors and officials typically commenced their court sessions around the fifth watch.
At the fifth watch early next morning, Taizong took his seat in the Treasure Hall of Golden Chimes as civil and military officials attended the court. Taizong asked, “What appointment should the new zhuangyuan receive?” The prime minister Wei Zheng said, “Your subject has discovered that within our territory there is a vacancy at Jiangzhou. I beg my Lord to grant him this post.”
— Journey to the West, Chapter 9
And, the following as just another example.
Without taking leave of the king, he headed straight for his cave in the mountain forest to investigate. At this time, people in the court knew full well that he was indeed a monster. For, you see, he ate one of the palace maids during the night, but the seventeen others who escaped made a thorough report to the king after the hour of the fifth watch. Since he left so abruptly, they knew all the more that he was without doubt a monster.
— Journey to the West, Chapter 31
What is the modern equivalent of the fifth watch used for timekeeping in ancient China?
The Five Night Watches
The ancient Chinese people divided the night time (7:00 PM to 5:00 AM) into five watches, each lasting 2 hours. During the night, there would be night watchmen striking bamboo blocks or gongs to tell people the time.
The ancient Chinese “five night watches” or “five night shifts” corresponded to modern timekeeping as follows:
- First Watch: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 13
- Second Watch: 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM 13
- Third Watch: 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM 13
- Fourth Watch: 1:00 AM – 3:00 AM 13
- Fifth Watch: 3:00 AM – 5:00 AM
What time did the ancient Chinese emperors and officials begin their work?
Each watch spanned 2 hours, divided into five 24-minute intervals. The fifth watch (3–5 AM) marked the transition to daylight(from night to dawn) and was critical for imperial court rituals, as depicted in Journey to the West.
As depicted in Chapter 10, Tang Taizong holds court at three-fifths of the fifth watch.
We tell you now about Taizong, who, having awakened, was still turning over in his mind what he had dreamed. Soon it was three-fifths past the hour of the fifth watch, and Taizong held court for his ministers, both civil and martial.
— Journey to the West, Chapter 10
With “three-fifths” marking 4:12 AM—the exact time Tang Taizong held morning audiences with ministers.
High-ranking Officials’ Pre-Dawn Routines
Officials residing outside the palace gates (e.g., in the Ming Dynasty, most lived in the outer city) faced journeys of 30–60 minutes. For a 5 AM audience, they would rise by 2:30–3:00 AM to dress in formal court attire and travel by sedan chair.
Please note that the court audiences were not mandatory for all officials . Only high-ranking officials attended regular audiences. The frequency and participation requirements varied significantly across dynasties. Emperors like Wanli (Ming) notoriously skipped audiences for decades, delegating power to grand secretaries.
The “Dianmao” System in Journey to the West
In ancient China, government offices began their daily operations during the hour of Mao (5:00 AM to 7:00 AM). The practice of officials conducting a roll call to check attendance and receive tasks at this time was called Dianmao(点卯, lit. “roll call at the hour of Mao”).
Later, the term ”Dianmao” has evolved to encompass meanings like ”roll call,” ”attendance check,” and ”clocking in for work,” though its actual timeframe is no longer confined to the early morning hours of 5:00–7:00.
Led by the various demon kings of no fewer than seventy-two caves, they all came to pay homage to the Monkey King. Henceforth they brought annual tributes and answered the Dianmao(roll call) made every season.
— Journey to the West, Chapter 3
The Preceptors returned to report to the Throne, saying “Revati, the Wood-Wolf Star, has left for the Region Below.” The Jade Emperor said, “For how long has he been away from Heaven?” “He was absent for four muster Dianmao(roll calls);’ said the Preceptors. “The roll is taken once every three days, so today is the thirteenth day.” “The thirteenth day in Heaven;’ said the Jade Emperor, “is the thirteenth year on Earth.” He thereupon gave the order for the Star’s own department to recall him back to Heaven.
— Journey to the West, Chapter 31
The novel Journey to the West reflects the night watch system, integrating it into its mythological narrative while preserving historical authenticity.
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