24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar

In the Chinese agricultural calendar, the annual cycle is divided into 24 solar terms. Each solar term lasts for about fifteen to sixteen days. The Chinese calendar combines elements of both the lunar and solar calendars. It is based on astronomical phenomena such as the alternation of day and night, the phases of the moon, and the changing seasons. It determines the beginning of agricultural activities, including the seasons for tea harvesting, and the celebration of traditional Chinese festiva

Winter gradually, though with difficulty, gives up its position; yet the imminent victory of spring is inevitable. It is said that life begins when water has risen. Spring is like a tree; it grows with water. Rain begins after winter. There will be more rain in the summer. In China, the Lichun season usually falls between February 3rd and 5th, which is in the Tiger month of the Chinese calendar. It is the first of the 24 seasons of the Chinese calendar, marking the start of the New Year.

The cold weather gradually retreats, the spring warmth leads to snow melting, air humidity increases, the sun becomes warmer, and rains pour onto the awakening earth. The Rain Water Season, according to the Chinese calendar, begins from February 18th to 20th and coincides with the month of the tiger. The Rain Water Solar Term is one of the four lesser solar terms signifying the onset of precipitation, characterized by damp weather. It is the second of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese calendar.

The weather is getting warmer. Spring thunder wakes up the insects slumbering in the ground and in their shelters. In many areas of China, peach trees bloom with pink flowers, while plum trees blossom with white flowers. You can hear the babble of birds. Farmers begin spring sowing. Jingzhe Solar Term ("Awakening of Insects," or "Awakening of Worms") is the third of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese calendar; it begins around March 5-6, coinciding with the beginning of the Rabbit month.

Spring is finally coming into its own, the earth is covered with fresh greenery, the air becomes incredibly clean and transparent, freely allowing the warm rays of the spring sun to pass through. The ancient books say: “At this time, the growth of all things occurs, everything around is clear and bright, that’s why it is called Clear and Bright.” During this period the weather becomes warmer; plants and trees begin to grow; everything is bright and clear; The winds of this time blow from the sou

Spring field work is in full swing. Nature itself took care to provide the most favorable conditions for the growth of crops - fairly warm weather combined with spring rains. The abundance of solar heat and rain moisture lays a good basis for the autumn harvest. All living things enjoy the spring warmth, fresh and clean air.

Lixia – means “The Beginning of Summer”. Xia is a holiday, so it's a celebration of growth. Summer only comes into its own right, but gradually the weather is getting warmer, the day length increases.

The air temperature rises noticeably. There is an active filling with the life-giving juices of summer grains — barley and winter wheat, so the name of this season can be translated as “small filling” or “small saturation”. Xiaoman season is the eighth of the 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar. This is the second season of summer, it occurs annually on May 20-22 and coincides with the second half of the month of the Snake.

This is the most important period of ripening of cereals, when the plants give ears and are ready for reproduction. In many regions of China, harvesting of winter wheat and barley begins. Moreover, this is the optimal time for sowing lowland rice, millet and broomcorn millet. The length of the day increases visibly and gradually approaches its annual maximum. The air temperature is quite high, and in the low and middle basin of the Yangtze river there are “plum rains” (梅雨).

The first day of this solar term is the summer solstice, that is, the longest day of the year. In the Chinese agricultural calendar, this day is considered the middle of summer, a time of maximum yang strength and yin weakness. From this moment on, Yin Qi begins to grow and the days become shorter. A period of summer heat begins, which will last until the beginning of autumn (August 7-9). Along with the rapid flowering of nature, harmful insects and poisonous creatures come to life, and the scor

Xiaoshu 小暑 solar term is the eleventh of the 24 solar terms of the Chinese agricultural calendar and coincides with the first half of the third month of summer, the month of the Goat, which occurs between July 5-7 each year. The Xiaoshu solar term lasts until about July 23-24, when it gives way to the Dashu (Bigger Heat) season.

The very name of this solar term suggests that this is the hottest time of the year. In many regions of China, temperatures reach 40°C. According to the Chinese solar agricultural calendar, this is the last season of summer. Autumn will come very soon. In the meantime, summer does not want to give up its position, and the scorching rays of the sun threaten to incinerate all living things, the air temperature reaches its maximum.

Although the weather is still hot, the air temperature is gradually decreasing. At times a cool wind blows. This is what people say: “A cool breeze appears from the first day of the beginning of autumn” (立秋之日凉风至). But this is only the very beginning of a gradual transition from summer heat to autumn coolness. Autumn is just getting ready to fully come into its own rights.

The very name of this season indicates that the hottest period of the year is about to be over. Although the weather is hot during the daytime, it can be quite cool at night and in the early morning. Everything points to the approach of a real autumn chill. In other words, the “End of Heat” is a transitional season from summer heat to autumn fresh. The process of nature's transition from maturity to withering begins. There comes a period of harvesting and fruit ripening.

Although the day is still quite warm, the difference between day and night temperatures is perhaps the largest of the year. With the end of this solar term comes the autumnal equinox, which is mid-autumn according to the Chinese calendar. Every day it becomes cooler and cooler, especially at night and early in the morning. Moisture in the air condenses as white dew on grass and tree leaves. Autumn belongs to Metal and is represented by white.

According to the Chinese agricultural solar calendar, this day is the astronomical mid-autumn. With the beginning of the Autumn Equinox season, the night becomes longer than the day, and the period of Yin dominance over Yang begins in nature. And Yin will reach its maximum exactly in a quarter of the year, on the day of the winter solstice. Then Yang will begin to grow, and the strength of Yin will gradually decrease... But everything has its time.

В китайском календаре это последний сезон осени. Роса здесь - фон иньской энергии. Это мороз. В сезон Выпадение инея погода с каждым днем становится все холоднее, наблюдается выпадение первого инея. Существует такая примета: «Если в Выпадение инея не выпадает иней, будущий год будет неурожайным».            Сезон Шуанцзян 霜降 – восемнадцатый из 24 сезонов китайского календаря. Продолжается третий месяц осени, и последний осенний сезон, ежегодно он наступает 21-23 октября и соответствует второй п

In the Chinese calendar, this is the last season of autumn. Dew here is the background of yin energy. This is frost. In the Frost Descent season, the weather is getting colder every day, and the first frost is observed. There is a sign: "If there is no frost in the Frost Descent, the next year will be a poor harvest." Shuangjiang Season 霜降 is the eighteenth of the 24 seasons of the Chinese calendar. It continues in the third month of autumn, and is the last autumn season

Here, pouring rains meet cold weather and become light snow. The first snow in northern China reminds us of the approaching coldest time of the year. Xiaoxue Season 小雪 is the twentieth of the 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar and the second of the winter seasons. It continues the first month of winter, annually it begins on November 21-23 and corresponds to the second half of the month of the Pig. With the end of this season, around December 8-10, the Daxue Season, “Greater Snow,” begins.

It’s very heavy snow. This is the first season of “Midwinter”. During this period, snow falls in the Yellow River basin and in the north of China. It is believed that heavy snowfalls in the Greater Snows solar term herald a rich harvest for the next year. Daxue Solar term 大雪 is the twenty-first of the 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar. It is the second month of winter and the third of the winter seasons, annually coming between December 8 and 10

The first day of this season is the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. Since ancient times, this day has been celebrated in many countries and in China as the "Winter Solstice Festival". This holiday is important because this day marks the beginning of a new cycle. From this time, the yin forces begin to weaken, giving way to the yang forces, which is expressed in a gradual increase in the length of the day and, therefore, the approach of spring.