Solar Terms is a calendar of twenty-four periods and climate to govern agricultural arrangements in ancient China and functions even now.
These solar terms have meaningful titles. Some of them reflect the change of seasons such as the Start of Spring, the Start of Summer, the Start of Autumn, and the Start of Winter; some embody the phenomena of climate like the Awakening of Insects, and some indicate the change of climate like Rain Water, Grain Rain, Minor Heat, Major Heat, and so on.
Each of these twenty-four solar terms suggests the position of the sun. In each month there are often two solar terms; the first one is generally named 'Jie Qi' and the other one 'Zhong Qi'. Their dates are mirrored by the Gregorian calendar, so we find that during the first half of a year 'Jie Qi' is around the 6th day of a solar month, 'Zhong Qi' around the 21st; in the second half of a year, 'Jie Qi' is around the 8th and 'Zhong Qi' around the 23rd.
The 24 solar terms were first used in China, and now are followed in many other parts of the world. In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. They also reflect China’s rich history through the seasonal festivals, special foods, cultural ceremonies, family gatherings and even healthy living tips that correspond with each solar term. To learn about the history and continuing celebrations of China’s solar terms is to embrace a deeper understanding of China’s fascinating past and present.
List of the 24 Solar Terms:
|
Solar Terms |
Month and Date |
|
Start of Spring
|
Feb. 4th
|
|
Rain Water
|
Feb. 19th
|
|
Awakening of Insects
|
Mar. 6th
|
|
Spring Equinox
|
Mar. 21st
|
|
Clear and Bright
|
Apr. 5th
|
|
Grain Rain
|
Apr. 20th
|
|
Start of Summer
|
May.5th
|
|
Grain Buds
|
May.21st
|
|
Grain in Ear
|
Jun. 6th |
| Summer Solstice |
Jun.21st
|
|
Minor Heat
|
Jul. 7th
|
|
Major Heat |
Jul. 23rd
|
|
Start of Autumn
|
Aug. 7th
|
|
End of Heat
|
Aug. 23th |
|
White Dew
|
Sep. 8th
|
|
Autumn Equinox White Dew
|
Sep. 23rd
|
|
Cold Dew
|
Oct. 8th
|
|
Frost's Descent
|
Oct. 23rd |
|
Start of Winter |
Nov. 7th
|
|
Minor Snow |
Nov. 22nd
|
|
Major Snow |
Dec. 7th
|
|
Minor Cold |
Dec. 22nd
|
|
Major Cold |
Jan. 5th
|
|
Winter Solstice |
Jan. 20th
|