🌸 24 Solar Terms Complete Guide
二十四节气 | 24 Jieqi
The ancient Chinese seasonal calendar that divides the year into 24 periods, marking agricultural activities, weather patterns, and cultural celebrations
Quick Answer
The 24 solar terms (二十四节气) are a traditional Chinese calendar system that divides the solar year into 24 periods based on the sun's position. Each term lasts about 15 days and marks specific seasonal changes, weather patterns, and agricultural activities.
📅 In 2025:
Starts Feb 3 (立春 Lichun) - Ends Jan 19, 2026 (大寒 Dahan)
🌍 UNESCO Status:
Intangible Cultural Heritage (2016)
What Are the 24 Solar Terms?
The 24 solar terms (节气, jié qì) are a system created over 2,000 years ago during China's Spring and Autumn Period. Unlike the lunar calendar, solar terms follow the solar calendar, tracking the Earth's position around the sun.
Agricultural Guide
Tells farmers when to plant, harvest, and prepare for seasons
Weather Predictor
Marks changes in temperature, rain, and natural phenomena
Cultural Calendar
Guides traditional festivals, foods, and seasonal customs
Complete List: All 24 Solar Terms with 2025-2026 Dates
🌸 Spring Solar Terms (立春 to 谷雨)
Start of Spring | 立春
Lìchūn
2025: February 3
2026: February 4
Beginning of spring when Yang energy starts to rise. Farmers prepare for the new agricultural year.
Weather:
Temperature begins to warm, ice melts, fish begin to surface
Traditions:
- Bite Spring: eating spring rolls and radishes
- Welcoming spring ceremony
- Posting spring couplets
Rain Water | 雨水
Yǔshuǐ
2025: February 18
2026: February 19
Snow turns to rain, the earth awakens. Precipitation increases as temperatures rise.
Weather:
Rain replaces snow, rivers thaw, wild geese return north
Traditions:
- Pull the Preserved Meat: send gifts to in-laws
- Bumping the Shoulder ritual for good luck
Awakening of Insects | 惊蛰
Jīngzhé
2025: March 5
2026: March 6
Thunder awakens hibernating insects. Spring plowing begins in earnest.
Weather:
Thunder increases, insects emerge, peach blossoms bloom
Traditions:
- Eating pears to clear the throat
- Beating the White Tiger to ward off bad luck
- Start of spring farming
Spring Equinox | 春分
Chūnfēn
2025: March 20
2026: March 21
Day and night are equal. Peak of spring with flourishing vegetation.
Weather:
Perfect balance, flowers bloom, swallows return
Traditions:
- Balancing eggs on end
- Flying kites
- Eating spring vegetables
- Worshiping the sun
Pure Brightness (Qingming) | 清明
Qīngmíng
2025: April 4
2026: April 5
Clear and bright weather. Important festival for tomb-sweeping and honoring ancestors.
Weather:
Clear skies, warm weather, willow trees turn green
Traditions:
- Tomb-sweeping (grave cleaning)
- Spring outings
- Flying kites
- Eating qingtuan (green rice balls)
Grain Rain | 谷雨
Gǔyǔ
2025: April 19
2026: April 20
Last solar term of spring. Rain helps grain crops grow before summer.
Weather:
Abundant rainfall benefits crops, peonies bloom
Traditions:
- Drinking spring tea
- Worshiping Cang Jie (inventor of Chinese characters)
- Eating toona sinensis
☀️ Summer Solar Terms (立夏 to 大暑)
Start of Summer | 立夏
Lìxià
2025: May 5
2026: May 6
Beginning of summer. Temperature rises significantly.
Weather:
Temperature rises, thunderstorms increase
Traditions:
- Weighing people
- Eating eggs
- Tasting new tea
- Cooking five-colored rice
Grain Buds | 小满
Xiǎomǎn
2025: May 20
2026: May 21
Grain seeds plump up but not yet ripe. Farmers prepare for busy harvest season.
Weather:
Crops flourish, early summer heat arrives
Traditions:
- Worship of the Water Chariot Deity
- Bitter vegetable festival
- Silkworm prayers
Grain in Ear | 芒种
Mángzhòng
2025: June 5
2026: June 6
Wheat harvest and rice planting. Busiest time for farmers.
Weather:
Rainy season begins in south, wheat ripens in north
Traditions:
- Boiling plums
- Mud wrestling festival
- Sending flowers to gods
Summer Solstice | 夏至
Xiàzhì
2025: June 21
2026: June 21
Longest day of the year. Peak of Yang energy.
Weather:
Hottest period begins, summer heat intensifies
Traditions:
- Eating noodles
- Worshiping ancestors
- Eating dog meat in some regions
Minor Heat | 小暑
Xiǎoshǔ
2025: July 6
2026: July 7
Beginning of hot weather. Not yet the hottest time.
Weather:
Hot and humid, monsoon season
Traditions:
- Eating lotus root and eel
- Enjoying coolness
- Drying books and clothes
Major Heat | 大暑
Dàshǔ
2025: July 22
2026: July 23
Hottest period of the year. Peak summer heat.
Weather:
Extreme heat, heavy rainfall in some areas
Traditions:
- Drinking herbal tea
- Eating lychee
- Sunbathing ginger
- Burning incense
🍂 Autumn Solar Terms (立秋 to 霜降)
Start of Autumn | 立秋
Lìqiū
2025: August 7
2026: August 8
Beginning of autumn. Yang energy begins to decline, Yin energy rises.
Weather:
Temperature starts to cool, but summer heat remains
Traditions:
- Biting autumn: eating watermelon
- Sticking on autumn fat: eating meat
- Weighing people
End of Heat | 处暑
Chǔshǔ
2025: August 22
2026: August 23
Summer heat ends. Weather becomes more comfortable.
Weather:
Day-night temperature difference increases
Traditions:
- Fishing festival
- Eating duck
- Releasing river lanterns
White Dew | 白露
Báilù
2025: September 7
2026: September 8
Dew forms in the morning due to temperature drop. Clear autumn weather.
Weather:
Cool mornings with dew, pleasant weather
Traditions:
- Drinking white dew tea
- Collecting dew for wine
- Eating sweet potatoes
Autumn Equinox | 秋分
Qiūfēn
2025: September 22
2026: September 23
Day and night equal again. Harvest moon and crab season.
Weather:
Perfect balance, comfortable temperature
Traditions:
- Eating autumn vegetables
- Offering sacrifices to the moon
- Eating hairy crabs
Cold Dew | 寒露
Hánlù
2025: October 8
2026: October 8
Dew becomes colder. Temperature drops significantly.
Weather:
Colder nights, frost may appear in north
Traditions:
- Climbing mountains
- Eating crabs
- Drinking chrysanthemum wine
- Appreciating red leaves
Frost Descent | 霜降
Shuāngjiàng
2025: October 23
2026: October 23
First frost appears. Last solar term of autumn.
Weather:
First frost, leaves turn colors, harvest ends
Traditions:
- Eating persimmons
- Climbing mountains
- Eating beef for strength
- Chrysanthemum appreciation
❄️ Winter Solar Terms (立冬 to 大寒)
Start of Winter | 立冬
Lìdōng
2025: November 7
2026: November 7
Beginning of winter. Time to store food and prepare for cold.
Weather:
Temperature drops, water begins to freeze
Traditions:
- Eating dumplings
- Offering sacrifices to ancestors
- 补冬 (nourishing winter): eating nutritious foods
Minor Snow | 小雪
Xiǎoxuě
2025: November 22
2026: November 22
First snowfall in northern regions. Not yet heavy snow.
Weather:
Light snow begins in north, cold increases
Traditions:
- Making preserved meat
- Eating glutinous rice cakes
- Drying fish
Major Snow | 大雪
Dàxuě
2025: December 6
2026: December 7
Heavy snowfall. Rivers begin to freeze.
Weather:
Heavy snow, freezing temperatures
Traditions:
- Eating mutton
- Making preserved meat
- Appreciating snow scenery
Winter Solstice | 冬至
Dōngzhì
2025: December 21
2026: December 21
Shortest day of the year. Major festival celebrating Yin/Yang balance. Peak of Yin energy.
Weather:
Coldest period begins, shortest daylight
Traditions:
- Eating dumplings (north) or tangyuan (south)
- Ancestor worship
- Counting Nine-Nine days
- Family reunions
Minor Cold | 小寒
Xiǎohán
2025: January 5, 2026
2026: January 5, 2027
Beginning of coldest period. Coldest weather approaching.
Weather:
Very cold, often coldest time of year
Traditions:
- Eating glutinous rice
- Making Laba porridge
- Preparing for Chinese New Year
Major Cold | 大寒
Dàhán
2025: January 19, 2026
2026: January 20, 2027
Last solar term. Extreme cold but also marks the end of the cycle and new beginning.
Weather:
Extreme cold, year-end weather
Traditions:
- Final New Year preparations
- Eating glutinous rice
- Tail tooth banquet
How Do Solar Terms Work?
Solar terms are based on the sun's celestial longitude. Each term begins when the sun reaches a specific position (in 15° increments, completing the 360° circle in one year).
🌐 Solar vs Lunar
Solar Terms: Fixed to solar calendar (same dates each year ±1 day)
Lunar Calendar: Based on moon phases (dates shift widely)
🔄 Major vs Minor
Major Terms (节气): 12 terms marking season starts
Minor Terms (中气): 12 terms marking mid-seasons
Solar Terms & Chinese Almanac (黄历)
The 24 solar terms are an essential component of the Chinese almanac (黄历 huánglì). They help determine:
📆 Auspicious Dates
Certain solar terms are considered more favorable for weddings, moving, or starting businesses
⚖️ Elemental Balance
Each solar term has associated five elements (五行) that influence daily fortune
🎊 Festival Timing
Major festivals like Qingming (清明节) and Winter Solstice (冬至) align with solar terms
🌱 Health & Wellness
Traditional Chinese medicine uses solar terms for seasonal health advice and dietary guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Frost Descent (霜降) in 2025?
Frost Descent (霜降 Shuāngjiàng) falls on October 23, 2025. It's the last solar term of autumn, marking the appearance of the first frost and the transition to winter. Traditional customs include eating persimmons, climbing mountains, and enjoying chrysanthemums.
What is Qingming (清明) and when does it occur?
Qingming (清明), also called Pure Brightness or Tomb-Sweeping Day, falls on April 4, 2025and April 5, 2026. It's both a solar term and a major festival for honoring ancestors by cleaning graves, making offerings, and enjoying spring outings.
When is Grain Rain (谷雨) and what does it mean?
Grain Rain (谷雨 Gǔyǔ) occurs on April 19, 2025 and April 20, 2026. It's the last solar term of spring, bringing essential rainfall for grain crops before summer. Traditions include drinking fresh spring tea and eating toona sinensis (Chinese mahogany).
Are solar terms the same as the lunar calendar?
No. Solar terms follow the solar calendar based on the sun's position, occurring on nearly the same dates each year (±1 day). The lunar calendar follows moon phases, so dates shift significantly year to year. Both systems work together in the traditional Chinese calendar.
Why are there 24 solar terms instead of 4 seasons?
The 24 solar terms provide more precise agricultural guidance than just 4 seasons. Each 15-day period marks specific weather patterns, farming activities, and natural phenomena, allowing farmers to time planting, harvesting, and other activities accurately.
What's the most important solar term?
Winter Solstice (冬至 Dōngzhì) on December 21 is considered one of the most important, marking the shortest day and the rebirth of Yang energy. It's celebrated with family reunions and special foods like dumplings (north) or tangyuan (south). Start of Spring (立春 Lìchūn) is also highly significant as it marks the beginning of the new agricultural year.
Find Your Auspicious Dates Using Solar Terms
Use our FREE calculators to find the best dates for your important events, based on traditional Chinese almanac principles including solar terms.
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