Solar Terms

Date

Meaning

Start of Spring (立春)

Feb. 4

Spring begins.

Rain Water （雨水）

Feb.19

It begins to rain.

Awakening of Insects（惊蛰）

Mar. 6

Hibernating animals awaken.

Spring Equinox(春分)

Mar.21

Day and night are equally long.

Clear and Bright (清明)

Apr. 5

It is warm and bright.

Grain Rain (谷雨)

Apr. 20

Rainfall increases for grain to grow.

Start of Summer(立夏)

May 6

Summer begins.

Grain Buds(小满)

May 21

Seeds of summer crops begin to plump.

Grain in Ear (芒种)

Jun. 6

Wheat grows ripe.

Summer Solstice (夏至)

Jun. 22

The longest daylight hours and the shortest night of the year.

Minor Heat (小暑)

Jul. 7

Heat sets in.

Major Heat (大暑)

Jul. 23

The hottest time of the of a year begins.

Start of Autumn (立秋)

Aug 8

Autumn begins.

End of Heat (处暑)

Aug 23

Heat recedes.

White Dew (白露)

Sep. 8

Dew forms.

Autumn Equinox (秋分)

Sep. 23

The middle of autumn comes.

Cold Dew (寒露)

Oct. 8

Dew is very cold.

Frost's Descent (霜降)

Oct. 24

Frost descends.

Start of Winter (立冬)

Nov. 8

Winter begins.

Minor Snow (小雪)

Nov. 22

It begins to snow.

Major Snow (大雪)

Dec. 7

It snows heavily.

Winter Solstice (冬至)

Dec. 22

It has the shortest daylight hours  and the longest night of a year.

Minor Cold (小寒)

Jan 6

It is rather cold.

Major Cold (大寒)

Jan 20

The coldest time of the year begins.