The 24 Solar
Terms in Chinese lunar calendar originated from
the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. It appeared in
the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD). The ancient Chinese based
on knowledge in astronomy, climatology and agricultural meteorology
to invent it. According to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun Solar
Terms divide a year into 24 segments. Since the Earth takes about
one year to complete its orbit once (360 degree), by dividing it
into 24 equal segments, each 15 degrees (approximately 15 days)
will mark a Solar Term. The 24 Solar Terms generally represent the
seasonal change over central China in a year, and in turn, closely
relate to agricultural activities in ancient China.
Solar Terms are in general named according to the astronomical phenomena,
climatological characteristics or agricultural activities prevalent
at the respective times of the seasons.
The 24 Solar Terms were determined by the changes of the Sun’s position
in the zodiac all through the year. In the lunar calendar, the date
of each solar term is basically fixed, with the minor changes within
one or two days. As a reflection of the regularity of the changes
of the climate in the central part of China, the 24 Solar Terms
still guide the agricultural activities there. The following chart is a brief introduction of 24 Solar
Terms
24 Solar Terms
Month and Date
Meaning
Lichun
About on Feb 4th
The Begining of Spring.
Yushui
About on Feb 19th
The Begining of Raining.
Jingzhe
about on Mar 6th
Waking of Hibernating Insects and Small Animals.
Chunfen
About on Mar 20th
The Vernal Equinox, the day and night are of equal length.
Qingming
About on Apr 5th
Pure Brightness, the weather gets warmer, this is the time to sweep
the ancestors' graveyard.
Guyu
About on Apr 20th
Rainfall for Grain, it is the time to grow.
Lixia
About on May 6th
The Begining of Summer.
Xiaoman
About on May 21st
Wheat becomes plump.
Mangzhong
About on Jun 6th
It is the time to growAutumn crops.
Xiazhi
About on Jun 21st
the Summer Solstice, the daytime is the longest in a year.
Xiaoshu
About on Jul 7th
Torridity comes.
Dashu
About on Jul 23rd
The hottest time in the year.
Liqiu
About on Aug 8th
The begining of the Autumn.
Chushu
About on Aug 23rd
It marks the end of the summer.
Bailu
About on Sep 8th
White dew, the dew curdles.
Qiufen
About on Sep 23rd
The Autumn Equinox, the day time and the night time are equal.
Hanlu
About on Oct 8th
Cold dew, the weather gets distinctively colder and the leaves begin
to fall.
Shuangjiang
About on Oct 23rd
Frost descends in the early morning.
Lidong
About on Nov 7th
The begining of Winter.
Xiaoxue
About on Nov 22nd
It starts snowing.
Daxue
About on Dec 7th
Heavy snow begins.
Dongzhi
About on Dec 22nd
The Winter Solstice, the shortest day time in the year.
Xiaohan
About on Jan 6th
It is rather cold.
Dahan
About on Jan 21st
The coldest time in a year.
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