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Chinese 24 Solar Terms

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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

 

 

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