24 Solar Terms

Solar Terms is a calendar of twenty-four periods and climate to govern agricultural arrangements in ancient China and functions even now. Each solar term has about 15 days and it is decided by the position of the sun in the sky.

24 Solar Terms
 

How Does it Work?

These twenty-four solar terms each suggest the position of the sun every time it travels15 degrees on the ecliptic longitude. A cycle is that earth revolves around the sun for one time. It begins from the Beginning of Spring (Li Chun) and ends at Greater Cold (Da Han). 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.

 

24 Solar Terms in 2024

Solar Terms

Date

Meaning

Lesser Cold (Xiao Han) Jan. 6th It is rather cold.
Greater Cold (Da Han) Jan. 20th The coldest moment of a year.
The Beginning of Spring (Li Chun) Feb. 4th Spring begins.
Rain Water (Yu Shui) Feb. 19th It begins to rain.
The Waking of Insects (Jing Zhe) Mar. 5th Hibernating animals come to sense.
The Spring Equinox (Chun Fen) Mar. 20th Day and night are equally long.
Pure Brightness (Qing Ming) Apr. 4th It is warm and bright.
Grain Rain (Gu Yu) Apr. 19th Rainfall is helpful to grain.
The Beginning of Summer (Li Xia) May 5th Summer begins.
Lesser Fullness of Grain (Xiao Man) May 20th Kernels plump.
Grain in Beard (Mang Zhong) Jun. 5th Wheat grows ripe.
The Summer Solstice (Xia Zhi) Jun. 21st It has the longest daytime and the shortest night of the year.
Lesser Heat (Xiao Shu) Jul. 6th Torridity comes.
Greater Heat (Da Shu) Jul. 22nd The hottest moment of a year
The Beginning of Autumn (Li Qiu) Aug. 7th Autumn begins.
The End of Heat (Chu Shu) Aug. 22nd Heat hides.
White Dew (Bai Lu) Sep. 7th Dew curdles.
The Autumn Equinox (Qiu Fen) Sep. 22nd The mid of autumn
Cold Dew (Han Lu) Oct. 8th Dew is very cold.
Frost's Descent (Shuang Jiang) Oct. 23rd Frost descends.
The Beginning of Winter (Li Dong) Nov. 7th Winter begins.
Lesser Snow (Xiao Xue) Nov. 22nd It begins to snow.
Greater Snow (Da Xue) Dec. 6th It snows heavily.
The Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi) Dec. 21st The shortest daytime and the longest night of a year

* Please select a date according to the Gregorian calendar and search for the corresponding Chinese calendar information.
 

Meanings of 24 Solar Terms

These solar terms have meaningful titles. Some of them reflect the change of seasons such as the Beginning of Spring, the Beginning of Summer, the Beginning of Autumn, and the Beginning of Winter; some embody the phenomena of climate like the Waking of Insects (Jing Zhe), Pure Brightness (Qing Ming), Lesser Fullness of Grain (Xiao Man) and Grain in Beard (Mang Zhong); and some indicate the change of climate like Rain Water (Yu Shui), Grain Rain (Gu Yu), Lesser Heat (Xiao Shu), Greater Heat (Da Shu), and so on.
 

History and Origin

During the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC - 1046 BC), ancient people have decided 4 solar terms: The Spring Equinox (Chun Fen), The Summer Solstice (Xia Zhi), The Autumn Equinox (Qiu Fen), The Winter Solstice (Dong Zhi) by observing the shadow at noon. When the shadow is shortest in a year, it is Summer Solstice, the longest is Winter Solstice and the moderate is Spring Equinox or Autumn Equinox. In Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC - 221BC), eight solar terms were used. In 104 BC, the astronomical positions of 24 solar terms were decided.

- Last updated on Jan. 29, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on 24 Solar Terms
Asked by Robyn from USA | Oct. 16, 2022 13:00Reply
More information on solar terms
Hello
Can you please suggest a book title IN ENGLISH that explains the solar terms and how to apply them in daily life -- like eating practices, 5 element factors, etc? A website recommendation or two would be appreciated too, but in English, please ;) A Taoist author or perspective would be even better. Thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Debbie | Oct. 19, 2022 08:25
00Reply


8 winds in the heavens by Tom Bisio
Asked by Francine from PHILIPPINES | Feb. 07, 2021 16:15Reply
Does July 20, 2003 have success in career and finding purpose?
Answers (1)
Answered by Joel | Feb. 07, 2021 22:39
00Reply


Yes, this year would be a good time for you to make some breakthroughs in career.
Asked by Priscilla from GHANA | Dec. 14, 2020 15:58Reply
Is there any chance for me to build a house in 2021?
Answers (1)
Answered by Betty | Dec. 14, 2020 17:18
00Reply


Would you mind providing your birth date? Then I can find the prediction for you.
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