How Much Do You Know About This Chinese Tradition?

November 7th was "the beginning of winter" in the 24 solar terms.

The 24 Solar Terms is a day marking one of the 24 divisions of the solar year in the traditional Chinese calendar.

In 104 BC, the official calendar of the 24 solar terms defined their astronomical position.

The "24 solar terms" declared by China has been included in UNESCO's representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity!

Today, we are going to have a look at all the terms and meanings of the 24 solar terms.

Beginning of spring: February 4-5, the beginning of the spring solar term.

Rain Water：From February 18 to 20 each year, when winter turns to spring, the temperature begins to pick up and the air humidity increases, but the cold air activity is still very frequent.

The Waking of Insects: Each year on March 5 (6), a hibernating organism begins its activity in the winter. Cold and warm before and after the awakening of insects, the temperature and wind change greatly.

Vernal/Spring Equinox：

On March 20 (or 21), the sun shines directly on the equator and the days and nights are almost equal. Winter crops in China will enter the spring growth stage.

Qingming Festival：Every year on April 5 (or 4), the temperature rises and the weather gradually warms up.

Grain rain: increased rainfall before and after April 20 is conducive to grain growth.

Start of summer: every year on May 5 or 6 "start of summer". Everything grows. Also for the start of summer.

Grain full: May 20 or 21 each year. At this time, grains of wheat and other summer ripe crops start to be full, but not mature.

Grain in Ear: before and after June 6, when the sun moves to 75 degrees yellow longitude. Wheat and other crops have been mature, can collect seeds.

Summer solstice: before and after June 22, the sun directly hits the tropic line, showing "north solstice, long solstice, short solstice", hence "summer solstice".

Slight heat: the beginning of summer heat around July 7 marks the beginning of the hot season in most parts of China.

Great heat: before and after July 23. This period is the hottest period of the year in the vast areas of China, but there are abnormal years, "great heat is not hot", more rain.

Beginning of autumn: on August 7 or 8, the plants begin to bear fruit, and the harvest season begins.

The limit of heat: each year on August 23 or 24, the "place" means the end, and by the end of the summer heat, the weather will be cool. Because it is the time of the autumn harvest, precipitation is precious.

White Dew：Before and after September 8, due to the obvious southward movement of the sun's direct point, the temperature drops quickly and the weather is cool. The water vapor close to the ground at night forms white dews on the grass and trees, hence the name "white dew".

Autumn equinox: before and after September 22, the sun directly point back to the equator, forming the length of day and night.

Cold dew: before and after oct 8. At this time, the direct point of the sun continues to move southward, and the temperature in the northern hemisphere continues to drop.

Frost's Descent: it is "frost fall" before and after October 23. The initial frost period of the Yellow River basin is usually in late October, which coincides with the "frost fall" festival. Frost does great harm to the growing crops.

Beginning of winter: before and after November 7 each year.

Slight snow: November 22 before and after "light snow" solar term. The cold air force in the north has increased, the temperature drops rapidly, and snowflakes appear in precipitation. However, it was in the initial snow stage at this time, with a small amount of snow and not many times. In the Yellow River basin, snow fell after the solar term of "slight snow".

Great Snow: before and after Dec 7.

Winter solstice: before and after December 22, when the sun almost directly hits the tropic of Capricorn, the northern hemisphere forms the southern solstice, the short solstice and the long solstice, making it the shortest day of the year.

Slight cold: it begins to be cold around January 5.

Great cold: the coldest time of the year around January 20.

-THE END-

Editor: Crystal Huang  

Co-editor: Ed Bellin

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