The calendar
The 24 solar terms
Arranged for China in the northern hemisphere: when each term falls, what is in season, the old custom, and how it is cooked at home.
24 terms · 1 published
Gregorian dates shift by about a day each year; check the current almanac before citing. A southern-hemisphere companion (the Australian seasons run opposite) is in preparation.
Spring6
- Start of SpringLì Chūn立春3–5 Febnot yet
- Rain WaterYǔ Shuǐ雨水18–20 Febnot yet
- Awakening of InsectsJīng Zhé惊蛰5–7 Marnot yet
- Spring EquinoxChūn Fēn春分20–22 Marnot yet
- Clear and BrightQīng Míng清明4–6 Aprnot yet
- Grain RainGǔ Yǔ谷雨19–21 Aprnot yet
Summer6
- Start of SummerLì Xià立夏5–7 Maynot yet
- Grain BudsXiǎo Mǎn小满20–22 Maynot yet
- Grain in EarMáng Zhòng芒种5–7 Junnot yet
- Summer SolsticeXià Zhì夏至21–22 Junnot yet
- Minor HeatXiǎo Shǔ小暑6–8 Julnot yet
- Major HeatDà Shǔ大暑22–24 Julnot yet
Autumn6
- Start of AutumnLì Qiū立秋7–9 Augnot yet
- End of HeatChǔ Shǔ处暑22–24 Augnot yet
- White DewBái Lù白露7–9 Sepnot yet
- Autumn EquinoxQiū Fēn秋分22–24 Sepnot yet
- Cold DewHán Lù寒露8–9 Octpublished
- Frost's DescentShuāng Jiàng霜降23–24 Octnot yet
Winter6
- Start of WinterLì Dōng立冬7–8 Novnot yet
- Minor SnowXiǎo Xuě小雪22–23 Novnot yet
- Major SnowDà Xuě大雪7–8 Decnot yet
- Winter SolsticeDōng Zhì冬至21–23 Decnot yet
- Minor ColdXiǎo Hán小寒5–7 Jannot yet
- Major ColdDà Hán大寒20–21 Jannot yet