A solar term (or jiéqì, simplified Chinese: 节气; traditional Chinese: 節氣) is any of 24 periods in traditional Chinese calendars that matches a particular astronomical event or signifies some natural phenomenon. It originated in China, then spread to Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, countries in the East Asian cultural sphere.
Term | Chinese (Trad./Simp.) | Japanese | Date (± 1 day) |
---|---|---|---|
Lichun | 立春 | Feb 4 | |
Yushui | 雨水 | Feb 19 | |
Jingzhe | 驚蟄/惊蛰 | 啓蟄 | Mar 6 |
Chunfen | 春分 | Mar 21 Vernal equinox | |
Qingming | 清明 | Apr 5 | |
Guyu | 穀雨/谷雨 | Apr 20 | |
Lixia | 立夏 | May 6 | |
Xiaoman | 小滿/小满 | May 21 | |
Mangzhong | 芒種/芒种 | Jun 6 | |
Xiazhi | 夏至 | Jun 21 Summer solstice | |
Xiaoshu | 小暑 | Jul 7 | |
Dashu | 大暑 | Jul 23 | |
Liqiu | 立秋 | Aug 8 | |
Chushu | 處暑/处暑 | 処暑 | Aug 23 |
Bailu | 白露 | Sep 8 | |
Qiufen | 秋分 | Sep 23 Autumnal equinox | |
Hanlu | 寒露 | Oct 8 | |
Shuangjiang | 霜降 | Oct 23 | |
Lidong | 立冬 | Nov 7 | |
Xiaoxue | 小雪 | Nov 22 | |
Daxue | 大雪 | Dec 7 | |
Dongzhi | 冬至 | Dec 22 Winter solstice | |
Xiaohan | 小寒 | Jan 6 | |
Dahan | 大寒 | Jan 20 |