Recently you've likely been watching for signs of spring and eagerly anticipating the end of the cold (and rainy) weather.

As the beginning of the spring brings us the long-awaited warmth, let's learn about the traditional Chinese calendar system known as the 24 Solar Terms.

2024年二十四節(jié)氣

The 24 Solar Terms, or 二十四節(jié)氣 (èr shí sì jié qì), is a traditional Chinese calendar system that divides the year into 24 periods, each lasting about two weeks.

The system captures the essence of each season, marking the changes in the natural world. These terms, based on the sun's position in the zodiac, were created by farmers in ancient China and have guided agricultural practices, culinary traditions, and daily life for generations.

二十四節(jié)氣
èr shí sì jié qì
The 24 Solar Terms

Seasons

Let's take a closer look into each of the 24 solar terms.

01. Lichun or Beginning of Spring

Feb 04, 1st of the 24 solar terms

立春
Lì chūn
Beginning of Spring

Lichun (立春 Lì chūn) marks the beginning of spring. Although spring is still cold at this time, the daylight hours gradually begin to lengthen.

TRADITIONS

On the first day of Lichun, there's a tradition known as "biting spring" (咬春 yǎo chūn). People celebrate by eating 春餅 (chūn bǐng) - spring pancakes filled with vegetables and meat. They also enjoy other seasonal foods like five-spice dishes and radishes.

02. Yushui or Rain Water

Feb 19, 2nd of the 24 solar terms

雨水
Yǔ shuǐ
Rain Water

You probably noticed the rainy weather in February, didn't you? As the Rain Water (雨水 Yǔshuǐ) arrives, temperatures begin to rise, and rainfall becomes more frequent.

03. Jingzhe or Awakening of Insects

Mar 5, 3th of the 24 solar terms

驚蟄
Jīng zhé
Awakening of Insects

驚蟄 (Jīng zhé), Awakening of Insects is the time when hibernating insects begin to awaken as spring approaches.

TRADITIONS

In terms of TCM, the Insects Wake is seen as a time to focus on taking care of health by eating pears. During this season, the temperature changes frequently, and the climate is relatively dry, which can lead to dry mouth and coughing. Eating pears can help support the body during this period.

04. Chunfen or Spring Equinox

Mar 20, 4th of the 24 solar terms

春分
Chūn fēn
Spring Equinox

The Spring Equinox, or 春分 (Chūn fēn) marks the midpoint of the spring season. During the Spring Equinox, the day and night are approximately equal in length.

With the weather warming up, it's the perfect time for outdoor activities. In China, one popular tradition during this season is flying kites.

05. Qingming or Clear and Bright

Apr 4, 5th of the 24 solar terms

清明
Qīng míng
Clear and Bright

During this term it is clear and bright, and the weather becomes noticeably warmer. The season marks a traditional Chinese festival called 清明節(jié) (Qīng míng Jié), or Tomb Sweeping Day.

It is a time to pay respects to ancestors by visiting their graves, cleaning the tombstones, and making offerings of food and other items.

06. Guyu or Grain Rain

Apr 19, 6th of the 24 solar terms

谷雨
Gǔ yǔ
Grain Rain

谷雨 (Gǔ yǔ), or Grain Rain, marks the end of the spring rainy season, and it is an important time for agriculture, which signifies the time when crops such as barley and wheat start to ripen. Farmers begin to prepare their fields for the upcoming harvest, and the weather becomes more stable, with less rain and more sunshine.

07. Lixia or Start of Summer

May 5, 7th of the 24 solar terms

立夏
Lì xià
Start of Summer

As the spring is ready to end, people welcome the first solar term in summer, 立夏 (Lì xià). The term consists of two Chinese characters: 立 (lì), meaning "establish" or "begin," and 夏 (xià), meaning "summer".

TRADITIONS

Certain foods are traditionally eaten during specific solar terms, and one of the traditions during Lixia also relates to food. People would cook "seven-family porridge", or 七家粥 (qī jiā zhōu). Traditionally, they would ask for rice from their neighbors, cook it with multicolored beans and brown sugar, and share with family, friends, and neighbors.

08. Xiaoman or Grain Buds

May 20, 8th of the 24 solar terms

小滿
Xiǎo mǎn
Grain Buds

The term 小滿 (Xiǎo mǎn) reflects the idea that grains are beginning to fill but are not yet fully ripe. The increased rainfall fills rivers, making The Lesser Full Grain a perfect time for enjoying fresh fish.

09. Mangzhong or Grain in Ear

June 5, 9th of the 24 solar terms

芒種
Máng zhòng
Grain in Ear

Mangzhong, or Grain in Ear, is the 9th of the 24 Solar Terms in the traditional Chinese calendar. It usually falls around June 5th each year and marks the time when crops start to grow grains.

TRADITIONS

In TCM, Mangzhong is time to focus on nourishing the heart and calming the mind. People may consume foods that are light and easy to digest, such as vegetables and fruits, to support their bodies during this period.

10. Xiazhi or Summer Solstice

June 21, 10th of the 24 solar terms

夏至
Xià zhì
Summer Solstice

Xiazhi marks the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. After Xiazhi, the days begin to shorten, and the nights gradually become longer.

TRADITIONS

In much of China, it is traditional to eat noodles on the Summer Solstice. As the popular saying goes:

冬至餃子夏至面。
Dōng zhì jiǎo zi xià zhì miàn.
Winter Solstice eat dumplings, Summer Solstice eat noodles. (Literal translation)
Eat dumplings on the Winter Solstice and eat noodles on Summer Solstice.

11. Xiaoshu or Minor Heat

July 6, 11th of the 24 solar terms

小暑
Xiǎoshǔ
Minor Heat

小暑 (Xiǎo shǔ), Minor Heat marks the period of time when the weather becomes noticeably hotter.

NOTE

It is important take precautions against the heat of summer and to take care of health: stay hydrated, seek shade, and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

12. Dashu or Major Heat

July 22, 12th of the 24 solar terms

大暑
Dà shǔ
Major Heat

During Dashu, temperatures are at their peak. It is the time of year when the duration of the sunshine is the longest, the rainfall is the greatest, and the thunderstorms are the most frequent.

NOTE

The Great Heat is a time to be mindful of the heat and take steps to protect one's health. Let's look at some traditional and creative ways to stay cool during this period.

13. Liqiu or Start of Autumn

Aug 7, 13th of the 24 solar terms

立秋
Lì qiū
Start of Autumn

立秋 (Lìqiū) marks the transition from summer to autumn. During Liqiu, the weather begins to cool down, and the days start to shorten.

TRADITIONS

In recent years, a charming tradition is becoming popular among young people, especially in urban areas: drinking milk tea on the first day of autumn.

People marking the start of autumn with a cup of milk tea saying:

秋天的第一杯奶茶。
Qiū tiān de dì yī bēi nǎi chá.
The first cup of milk tea in autumn.

14. Chushu or End of Heat

Aug 22, 14th of the 24 solar terms

處暑
Chǔ shǔ
End of Heat

處暑 (Chǔ shǔ) brings the end of the summer heat with it and the temperature starts to cool down for autumn.

TRADITIONS

The tradition of eating duck during the End of Heat period remains popular today. Duck is favored for its naturally sweet flavor and, according to TCM, its ability to stop the heat.

15. Bailu or White Dew

Sep 7, 15th of the 24 solar terms

白露
Bái lù
White Dew

The true arrival of autumn is marked by 白露 (Bái lù). As temperatures cool, moisture in the air turns into dew on grass and trees during night.

During this season, Chinese people celebrate The Mid-Autumn Festival and have family reunions with a feast featuring delicate foods.

16. Qiufen or Autumn Equinox

Sep 22, 16th of the 24 solar terms

秋分
Qiū fēn
Autumn Equinox

The Autumn Equinox usually falls around September 22nd, marking the midpoint of autumn. During 秋分 (Qiūfēn), the weather becomes cooler, and the leaves start to change color, painting the landscapes with vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow.

17. Hanlu or Cold Dew

Oct 8, 17th of the 24 solar terms

寒露
Hán lù
Cold Dew

The Cold Dew marking the time when the temperature drops and people focus is on preparing for the colder months ahead and switch from lighter summer clothing to warmer autumn attire.

TRADITIONS

One important date that may fall within the span of 寒露 (Hán lù) is the Double Ninth Festival, or 重陽(yáng)節(jié) (Chóng yáng Jié). On this day, people celebrate the health of the elder members in their family and pay respects to their ancestors.

According to TCM, the air tends to be cleaner and pollution lower around this time. So, hiking in the nearby mountains is a great way to enjoy the Cold Dew period.

18. Shuangjiang or Frost's Descent

Oct 23, 18th of the 24 solar terms

霜降
Shuāng jiàng
Frost's Descent

Shuangjiang is considered the last chapter of the autumn, as it brings the frost and freezing wind. One traditional custom during Frost's Descent is to eat persimmon, which is not only delicious, but also helps strengthen the body for the colder weather.

19. Lidong or Start of Winter

Nov 7, 19th of the 24 solar terms

立冬
Lì dōng
Start of Winter

Start of Winter, or Lì dōng (立冬) usually falls around November 7th, marking the beginning of the winter season. In this article, we share a few tips on staying cozy as winter takes hold:

20. Xiaoxue or Minor Snow

Nov 22, 20th of the 24 solar terms

小雪
Xiǎo xuě
Minor Snow

The Minor Snow usually falls around November 22nd, and its time when the weather becomes even colder, and the first snowfalls begin to appear in northern China.

TRADITIONS

Customs during the Minor Snow period include pickling salted vegetables like sauerkraut and potherb mustard.

As the saying goes:

小雪腌菜，大雪腌肉。
Xiǎo xuě yān cài, Dà xuě yān ròu.
Preserve pickles during Minor Snow, and preserve meat during Major Snow.

21. Daxue or Major Snow

Dec 6, 21st of the 24 solar terms

大雪
Dà xuě
Major Snow

Major Snow, known as 大雪 (Dà xuě) is the third solar term of winter. During this time, the temperature drops day by day as the year draws to a close.

Similar to the previous solar term Xiaoxue (Light Snow), Major Snow is also a good time to make preserved meat like pork, chicken, duck, fish.

22. Dongzhi or Winter Solstice

Dec 21, 22nd of the 24 solar terms

冬至
Dōng zhì
Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice, or 冬至 (Dōng zhì) marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night.

TRADITIONS.

Traditions during Dongzhi are also related to food. In the northern regions, people have a tradition of eating dumplings (餃子 jiǎo zi), while in the south, there is a tradition of eating tangyuan (湯圓 tāng yuán) - glutinous sweet rice balls typically filled with fillings such as red bean paste or sesame paste.

23. Xiaohan or Minor Cold

Jan 5, 23rd of the 24 solar terms

小寒
Xiǎo hán
Minor Cold

Xiaohan marks the beginning of the coldest days of the year for most areas of China.

TEACHERS RECOMMEND

Soaking feet in warm water during winter can be helpful. Not only does it help to warm up cold feet, but it can also improve circulation and relieve tension. This simple practice can be a comforting way to take care of your health during the colder months.

24. Dahan or Major Cold

Jan 20, 24th of the 24 solar terms

大寒
Dà hán
Major Cold

Major Cold, known as 大寒 (Dà hán) is the final solar term of both winter and the entire year. It marks the coldest time of the year, with temperatures often dropping to their lowest points.

TRADITIONS

Dahan typically falls around January 20th, close to the Spring Festival, and the festive atmosphere grows stronger. People start preparing for the Chinese New Year by cleaning, making preserved meats, and getting ready for the festivities, as the most important festival for Chinese people is approaching.

來(lái)源：That's Mandarin
編輯：萬(wàn)月英