The 24 solar periods are of capital importance in Chinese culture. They mark the seasons, guide agriculture and influence certain traditions and festivities. This age-old system continues to be used, particularly in the countryside and in traditional Chinese medicine.
The 24 Chinese Solar Periods
The 24 Chinese solar periods (二十四节气èrshísì jiéqì ) are a traditional calendar based on the movement of the sun, used in China since ancient times to guide agriculture. They divide the year into 24 periods of approximately 15 days each.
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Early Spring
Watch the video立春 (Lìchūn) February 4-5
• Marks the official start of spring. Nature begins to wake up, although temperatures remain cold.
• It is a good time for rites to promote a good harvest.
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Rainwater
Watch the video雨水 (Yǔshuǐ) February 18-19
• Indicates increased precipitation and snowmelt.
• Farmers begin to prepare the land.
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Awakening of the insects
Jingzhe (Jingzhe) March 5-6
• Temperatures are rising and hibernating insects are emerging from their torpor.
• Traditionally, noise was made to drive away evil spirits and harmful insects.
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Spring Equinox
春分 (Chūnfēn) March 20-21
• Day and night are of equal duration.
• It is a time of balance and transition in nature.
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Pure Clarity
Qingming (Qīngmíng) April 4-5
• Day favorable for outdoor activities and ancestor worship (Qingming Festival).
• The climate becomes milder and the fields turn green.
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Rain of cereals
谷雨 (Gǔyǔ) April 19-20
• Rain becomes more abundant, which promotes the growth of cereals such as rice and wheat.
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Early summer
Lixià (May 5-6)
• Marks the official start of summer, with rising temperatures.
• Crops begin to grow rapidly.
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Little fullness
小满 (Xiǎomǎn) May 20-22
• The grains are beginning to fill out but are not yet ripe.
• The weather is getting warmer and more humid.
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Grains in beard
Festival (Mángzhòng) June 5-7
• This is the ideal time to sow rice and harvest mature cereals.
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Summer solstice
Festival (Xiàzhì) June 20-22
• The longest day of the year.
• Period of intense heat, announcing summer rains.
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Little heatwave
小暑 (Xiǎoshǔ) July 6-8
• Beginning of intense heat, but still bearable.
• Good period for growing rice and preparing harvests.
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Great heatwave
大暑 (Dàshǔ) July 22-24
• The hottest time of the year.
• Humidity and heat promote crop growth but also typhoons.
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Early fall
Lìqiū (Lìqiū) August 7-9
• Announces the gradual shift towards cooler temperatures.
• Start of the fall harvest.
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End of the heat
Day (Chǔshǔ) August 22-24
• Marks the end of the great summer heat and the arrival of nighttime coolness.
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White dew
白露 (Báilù) September 7-9
• Temperatures drop and morning dew becomes visible on plants.
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Autumn Equinox
秋分 (Qiūfēn) September 22-24
• Day and night have equal duration.
• The harvests are in full swing.
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Cold Dew
Hanlu (Hanlu) October 7-9
• The cold begins to be felt, and the first frosts may appear.
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Frost Descent
霜降 (Shuāngjiàng) October 22-24
• Appearance of the first white frosts, announcing the approach of winter.
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Beginning of winter
立冬 (Lìdōng) November 7-8
• The cold sets in gradually.
• Start storing food for the winter.
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Little snow
小雪 (Xiǎoxuě) November 22-23
• First light snowfall in some northern regions.
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Big snow
Day (Dàxuě) December 6-8
• Snow becomes more abundant, temperatures drop sharply.
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Winter Solstice
冬至 (Dōngzhì) December 21-23
• The longest night of the year.
• Celebrated in China with the consumption of jiaozi (dumplings) and hot foods.
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A little cold
小寒 (Xiǎohán) January 5-7
• Intense cold, but not yet at its peak.
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Very cold
大寒 (Dàhán) January 19-21
• The coldest time of the year.
• Marks the end of the annual cycle and announces the approach of the Chinese New Year .
