24 Solar Terms Logo24 Solar Terms

24 Solar Terms

Traditional Chinese calendar system based on the sun's position

Beginning of Spring

2/4

1

The Beginning of Spring marks the start of spring in the traditional Chinese calendar.

Rain Water

2/19

2

Rain Water signifies the increase in rainfall and rising temperatures.

Waking of Insects

3/5

3

Waking of Insects indicates when hibernating insects awake, thunderstorms begin.

Spring Equinox

3/20

4

Spring Equinox marks equal day and night lengths as the sun crosses the equator.

Pure Brightness

4/4

5

Pure Brightness is a time for tomb sweeping and honoring ancestors.

Grain Rain

4/20

6

Grain Rain brings crucial rainfall for crops and marks the end of spring.

Beginning of Summer

5/5

7

Beginning of Summer marks the start of summer in the traditional Chinese calendar.

Grain Full

5/21

8

Grain Full indicates that summer crops are growing well but not yet ripe.

Grain in Ear

6/6

9

Grain in Ear signifies that crops like wheat and barley are ready for harvest.

Summer Solstice

6/21

10

Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Minor Heat

7/7

11

Minor Heat marks the beginning of the hottest period of the year.

Major Heat

7/22

12

Major Heat is typically the hottest period of the year.

Beginning of Autumn

8/7

13

Beginning of Autumn marks the start of autumn in the traditional Chinese calendar.

End of Heat

8/23

14

End of Heat signifies the end of the hot summer period.

White Dew

9/7

15

White Dew indicates the appearance of dew on plants in the early mornings.

Autumn Equinox

9/23

16

Autumn Equinox marks equal day and night lengths as the sun crosses the equator.

Cold Dew

10/8

17

Cold Dew indicates colder dew on plants as temperatures drop further.

Frost's Descent

10/23

18

Frost's Descent marks the first frosts of the season in northern China.

Beginning of Winter

11/7

19

Beginning of Winter marks the start of winter in the traditional Chinese calendar.

Minor Snow

11/22

20

Minor Snow indicates the beginning of snowfall in northern China.

Major Snow

12/7

21

Major Snow indicates heavier snowfall and colder temperatures.

Winter Solstice

12/22

22

Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Minor Cold

1/5

23

Minor Cold is one of the coldest periods of the year.

Major Cold

1/20

24

Major Cold is typically the coldest period of the year.