24 Solar Terms 2025 Complete Guide: Ancient Chinese Seasons Explained

The 24 Solar Terms are a traditional Chinese calendar system that divides the solar year into 24 segments of approximately 15 days each. Unlike the lunar calendar that tracks moon phases, these terms follow the sun's position along the ecliptic—making them remarkably consistent year-to-year. Created during the Warring States period (475-221 BCE) and refined in the Han Dynasty, they reflect deep observations of nature's rhythms. Each term marks a specific climatic or agricultural milestone: spring planting, summer heat peaks, autumn harvest, winter rest. While modern China uses the Gregorian calendar, the Solar Terms remain embedded in festivals, food traditions, and Traditional Chinese Medicine practices. In 2016, UNESCO recognized them as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Beginning of Spring (立春, Lì Chūn) - February 3, 2025: The first term marks the start of spring in the Chinese calendar, even if snow still covers the ground. Farmers traditionally check soil temperature and prepare fields. Tradition: eating spring rolls and radishes to "bite spring."

Rain Water (雨水, Yǔ Shuǐ) - February 18, 2025: Frozen precipitation turns to rain as temperatures rise. This is when farmers begin fertilizing fields. Health tip: protect against dampness by eating warm, nourishing foods like ginger porridge.

Awakening of Insects (惊蛰, Jīng Zhé) - March 5, 2025: Thunder awakens hibernating insects and animals. The earth's yang energy rises visibly. Traditional activity: eating pears to clear respiratory systems after winter.

Spring Equinox (春分, Chūn Fēn) - March 20, 2025: Day and night are equal length. This is prime time for planting. Many Asian countries celebrate with egg-balancing traditions (eggs stand on end due to gravitational balance).

Clear and Bright (清明, Qīng Míng) - April 4, 2025: Also called Tomb Sweeping Day, families visit ancestors' graves. The weather is perfect for spring outings. Trees burst with fresh green leaves.

Grain Rain (谷雨, Gǔ Yǔ) - April 19, 2025: The last spring term brings vital rain for grain crops. Tea picked before Grain Rain (pre-rain tea) is especially prized for its delicate flavor.

Beginning of Summer (立夏, Lì Xià) - May 5, 2025: Summer officially starts. In eastern China, people weigh themselves and eat eggs to build strength for the hot season ahead.

Grain Buds (小满, Xiǎo Mǎn) - May 20, 2025: Grain seeds plump up but aren't fully ripe yet. Farmers prepare irrigation systems. Tradition: eating bitter vegetables to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Grain in Ear (芒种, Máng Zhòng) - June 5, 2025: Wheat harvest begins in the north while southern regions plant rice. One of the busiest farming periods. Traditional saying: "Three days early, three days late, but never miss Grain in Ear."

Summer Solstice (夏至, Xià Zhì) - June 21, 2025: The longest day of the year. After this, days gradually shorten. Northern regions eat noodles to symbolize the sun at its peak; southern areas eat lychees.

Minor Heat (小暑, Xiǎo Shǔ) - July 6, 2025: Heat intensifies but hasn't peaked. Traditional foods focus on cooling properties: mung beans, lotus seeds, watermelon. Cricket fighting season traditionally begins now.

Major Heat (大暑, Dà Shǔ) - July 22, 2025: The hottest period of the year. People seek shade, drink cooling teas, and eat foods believed to expel heat from the body. Taiwan has a tradition of eating pineapples and mango.

Beginning of Autumn (立秋, Lì Qiū) - August 7, 2025: Autumn begins, though heat often lingers. Traditional practice called "biting autumn" involves eating watermelon, peaches, or autumn vegetables to welcome the season.

End of Heat (处暑, Chǔ Shǔ) - August 23, 2025: Summer heat ends; mornings and evenings turn cool. Fishermen hold ceremonies to celebrate fishing season. Good time to nourish yin energy after summer's yang dominance.

White Dew (白露, Bái Lù) - September 7, 2025: Morning dew appears white on grass as temperatures drop. Traditional medicine emphasizes moistening foods like pears, honey, and lily bulbs to protect lungs.

Autumn Equinox (秋分, Qiū Fēn) - September 22, 2025: Day and night equal again. Perfect balance. Traditional Moon Festival often falls near this date. Farmers celebrate harvest with offerings.

Cold Dew (寒露, Hán Lù) - October 8, 2025: Dew becomes cold and may freeze at night. Chrysanthemums bloom—traditionally made into wine or tea. Time to store autumn harvest and prepare winter supplies.

Frost Descent (霜降, Shuāng Jiàng) - October 23, 2025: First frost appears. The last autumn term marks transition to winter. Traditional foods include persimmons (to prevent chapped lips) and beef (to build strength).

Beginning of Winter (立冬, Lì Dōng) - November 7, 2025: Winter officially begins. Northern Chinese eat dumplings; southerners eat chicken, duck, or mutton to build energy reserves. Traditional belief: supplement your body at winter's start to stay healthy all season.

Minor Snow (小雪, Xiǎo Xuě) - November 22, 2025: Light snow begins in northern regions. Traditional activity: making preserved foods like cured meats and pickles for winter consumption.

Major Snow (大雪, Dà Xuě) - December 7, 2025: Heavy snow expected in northern areas. Rivers may freeze. Indoor activities increase. Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends tonifying kidneys with black foods: black sesame, black beans, black fungus.

Winter Solstice (冬至, Dōng Zhì) - December 21, 2025: The shortest day—a major festival. Northern families eat dumplings; southern families eat tangyuan (sweet rice balls). Saying: "Winter Solstice is as important as Spring Festival."

Minor Cold (小寒, Xiǎo Hán) - January 5, 2026: Cold intensifies but hasn't peaked. Traditionally the coldest period is coming. People eat warming porridges with ingredients like dates, chestnuts, and glutinous rice.

Major Cold (大寒, Dà Hán) - January 20, 2026: The coldest period. The last solar term. After this, spring returns with Beginning of Spring. Traditional foods: chicken soup, mutton hot pot. Preparation for Spring Festival begins.

Though many people live far from farms today, the Solar Terms still influence daily life across East Asia. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses them to guide treatment—tonifying yang in winter, clearing heat in summer. Farmers markets adjust produce seasonally based on these terms. School calendars and work schedules still reference them, especially for major holidays like Qingming and Winter Solstice. Weather apps in China display the current solar term prominently. Many people eat seasonally appropriate foods not from superstition, but because these foods naturally ripen during their corresponding terms and offer optimal nutrition. Understanding the 24 Solar Terms helps you appreciate the rhythm of seasons, connect with cultural traditions, and live more harmoniously with nature's cycles—whether you're in Shanghai, Singapore, or San Francisco.

Each solar term offers guidance for maintaining health. Spring terms emphasize protecting the liver and supporting growth energy—eat fresh greens, exercise outdoors, avoid anger. Summer terms focus on heart health and managing heat—stay hydrated, eat cooling foods, protect cardiovascular system. Autumn terms emphasize lung and skin care as dryness increases—moisturizing foods like pears and honey, moderate exercise. Winter terms stress kidney nourishment and energy conservation—warming foods, adequate rest, avoiding excessive sweating. This isn't rigid dogma but accumulated wisdom from observing how humans respond to seasonal changes. Modern research increasingly validates these patterns—Vitamin D deficiency in winter, heat exhaustion in summer, respiratory issues during seasonal transitions. The Solar Terms provide a framework for preventive wellness that complements modern health practices.