立春 ? The Beginning of Spring
As its name suggests, The Beginning of Spring lifts the curtain of spring. After that everything turns green and full of vigor; people clearly see that the daytime is becoming longer and the weather is becoming warmer.
Rain Water ? 雨水
Rain Water signals the increase in rainfall and rise in temperature. With its arrival, lively scenery starts blossoming: the river water defreezes, wild geese move from south to north, and trees and grass turn green again.
The Waking of Insects ? 惊蛰
Insects Awakening alludes to the fact that insects and animals sleeping in winter are awakened by spring thunder. It is the key time for spring agricultural activities.
The Spring Equinox ? 春分
On the day of the Spring Equinox, sun is directly above the equator. After the day, the sun moves northward, resulting in gradually longer day time in the Northern Hemisphere and longer night in the Southern Hemisphere.
Pure Brightness ? 清明
Pure Brightness is also a traditional Chinese festival-Tomb-Sweeping Day. From that day on, temperature continues to rise and rainfall increases, making it a crucial time for plowing and sowing in the spring.
Grain Rain ? 谷雨
Grain Rain originates from the saying that goes "rain brings up the growth of hundreds of grains," which shows that this period of rainfall is extremely important for the growth of crops.
立夏Beginning of Summer
The Beginning of Summer usually begins around May 5 in the Gregorian calendar. It marks the transition of seasons and is the day when summer starts in lunar calendar. During that time, the temperature in most places in China has an obvious increase. It is the best time for grains and crops to grow.
小满Lesser Fullness
Lesser Fullness means that the seeds from the grain are becoming full but are not ripe.
Grain in Beard ? 芒种
The arrival of Grain in Beard signifies the ripening of crops such as barley and wheat. It is also a busy period for farmers
The Summer Solstice ? 夏至
At this time, much of the northern hemisphere receives the most hours of daylight, but it does not bring the hottest temperatures which will come only 20 to 30 days later.
Lesser Heat ? 小暑
Lesser Heat suggests the hottest period is coming but the extreme hot point has yet to arrive.
Greater Heat ? 大暑
During Greater Heat, most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year, during which the temperature could reach above 35 C in manycities.
The Beginning of Autumn ? 立秋
It reflects the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The fruitful season is approaching.
The End of Heat ? 处暑
End of Heat implies that most parts in China are getting rid ofthe hot summer and entering autumn.
White Dew ? 白露
White Dew is the real beginning of cool autumn. The temperature declines gradually and the vapors in the air often condense into white dew on the grass and trees at night.
The Autumn Equinox ? 秋分
Autumnal Equinox lies at the mid-point of autumn, dividing autumn into two equal parts, after which the location of direct sunlight moves to the south - days become shorter and nights longer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Cold Dew ? 寒露
At this time, temperatures are much lower than in White Dew inmost areas of China. The dew is greater and colder and there will be less rain.
Frost's Descent ? 霜降
First Frost marks the last solar term of autumn, during whichtime the weather becomes much colder than before and frost begins to appear.
The Beginning of Winter ? 立冬
Winter is coming from that day on, and crops harvested in autumn should be stored up
Lesser Snow ? 小雪
Lesser Snow refers to the time when it starts to snow, mostly inChina's northern areas, and the temperature continues to drop.
Greater Snow ? 大雪
Around this day, the snow becomes heavy and begins to accumulate on the ground as the lowest temperature drops to around zero degree Celsius in northern China
The Winter Solstice ? 冬至
On the first day of Winter Solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day and the longest night in the year, as the sunshines directly at the Tropic of Capricorn.
Lesser Cold ? 小寒
During Lesser Cold, most areas in China have entered the bitter cold stage of winter. The ground and rivers are frozen. The cold air from thenorth moves southward continuously.
Greater Cold ? 大寒
Greater Cold is the last solar term in the annual lunar calendar. In this period, snow, rain and icy cold weather exert a big influence on people's lives.