View source for Solar term

{{Short description|Any of 24 periods of traditional East Asian lunisolar calendars}}
[[File:24solarterms.png|thumb|The 24 solar terms with labels in Japanese]]
{{Infobox Chinese
| title = (Twenty-four) solar terms
| t = (二十四)節氣
| s = (二十四)节气
| j = (ji<sup>6</sup> sap<sup>6</sup> sei<sup>3</sup>) zit<sup>3</sup> hei<sup>3</sup>
| poj = (jī-cha̍p-sì) cheh-khùi
| p = (èrshísì) jiéqì
| w = (erh-shih-ssŭ) chieh-chi
|mi=({{IPAc-cmn|er|4|.|shi|2|.|si|4}}) {{IPAc-cmn|j|ie|2|.|q|i|4}}
}}
{{Solar terms}}
A '''solar term''' (or '''''jiéqì''''', {{lang-zh|t=節氣|s=节气}}) is any of twenty-four periods in traditional [[Chinese calendar|Chinese]] [[lunisolar calendar]]s that matches a particular astronomical event or signifies some natural phenomenon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asia-home.com/china/solterms.php|title=24 Chinese Feasts (Jiéqì, 节气), equivalent to the 24 Chinese Solar Terms|work=Chinese calendar|publisher=asia-home.com}}</ref> The points are spaced 15° apart along the [[ecliptic]]<ref>Until 1644 (Chinese Empire and its tributary states) or 1844 (Japan) a period of time of the solar year itself had been equally divided instead of the spatial zodiac.</ref> and are used by lunisolar calendars to stay synchronized with the seasons, which is crucial for agrarian societies. The solar terms are also used to calculate [[Intercalation (timekeeping)|intercalary months]];<ref>When a lunar month's end does not reach a midpoint of the solar terms, it is regarded as the last month's intercalary one instead of the true "next" month. It is called {{lang|zh|歲中閏月法}} lit. "midpoint intercalating system".</ref> which month is repeated depends on the position of the sun at the time.

According to the ''[[Book of Documents]]'', the first determined term was [[Dongzhi (solar term)|Dongzhi]] (Winter Solstice) by [[Duke of Zhou|Dan, the Duke of Zhou]], while he was trying to locate the geological center of the [[Western Zhou]] dynasty, by measuring the length of the sun's shadow on an ancient type of [[sundial]] called {{ill|tugui|ja|土圭|lt=''tǔguī''}} ({{lang|zh|土圭}}).<ref>{{Cite book|title=Book of Documents}}</ref> Then four terms of seasons were set, which were soon evolved as eight terms; not until the Taichu Calendar of 104 BC were all twenty-four solar terms officially included in the Chinese calendar.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Book of Han|last=Ban|first=Gu}}</ref>

Because the [[Sun]]'s speed along the ecliptic varies depending on the Earth-Sun distance, the number of days that it takes the Sun to travel between each pair of solar terms varies slightly throughout the year, but it is always between 15 and 16 days. Each solar term is divided into three {{ill|Pentad (calendar)|lt=pentads|zh|七十二候}} ({{lang-zh|c=候|p=hòu|labels=no}}), so there are 72 pentads in a year, consisting of five, rarely six, days. Most of them are named after [[phenology|phenological]] (biological or botanical) phenomena corresponding to the pentad.

Solar terms originated in [[China]], then spread to [[Korea]], [[Vietnam]], and [[Japan]], countries in the [[East Asian cultural sphere]]. Although each term was named based on the seasonal changes of climate in the [[North China Plain]], peoples living in the different climates still use it without changes.<ref>[http://koyomi8.com/reki_doc/doc_0702.htm なぜずれる？　二十四節気と季節感 (Why off-point? -solar terms and our real feeling of the seasons)]  Maritime Japan, for example, comparing the climate of [[Taiyuan]] with that of [[Tokyo]] and [[Kyoto]]: on Japanese islands differences in seasonal gap lengths are the main problem. In [[subtropical]] or [[tropical]] regions including [[southern China]] climate difference is more serious.</ref> This is exhibited by the fact that [[traditional Chinese characters]] for most of the solar terms are identical.

On December 1, 2016, the solar terms were listed by [[UNESCO]] as an [[Intangible Cultural Heritage]].<ref>{{cite web |title=UNESCO – The Twenty-Four Solar Terms, knowledge in China of time and practices developed through observation of the sun's annual motion |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/the-twenty-four-solar-terms-knowledge-in-china-of-time-and-practices-developed-through-observation-of-the-suns-annual-motion-00647 |website=ich.unesco.org |access-date=9 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== Numbering ==
The solar terms used to mark the midpoint of the month (marked with "Z", for {{lang-zh|t=中氣|p=zhōngqì}}) are considered the major terms, while the solar terms used to mark the start of the month (marked with "J", for {{lang-zh|t=節氣|p=jiéqì}}) are deemed minor. The year starts with [[Lichun]] (J1) and ends with [[Dahan (solar term)|Dahan]] (Z12).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/calendar/cal2.pdf|title=When is Chinese New Year?|last=Aslaksen|first=Helmer|access-date=27 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313024833/http://www.math.nus.edu.sg/aslaksen/calendar/cal2.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2009}}</ref>

== Multilingual list ==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
![[Season]]
! style="width: 80px;" | [[Chinese zodiac]] & [[Earthly Branch]] of Month
! style="width: 80px;" | Sun's ecliptic<br />longitude
! style="width: 100px;" | Chinese<br />name<ref>[[Simplified Chinese characters]] are shown in parentheses if they differ from the [[Traditional Chinese characters]].</ref>
! style="width: 100px;" | Korean name<ref>[[Hangul]] are shown in parentheses. For Hangul and romanisation, where the pronunciation differs between [[South Korea]] and [[North Korea]], the South Korean pronunciation is given first before the slash, followed by the North Korean pronunciation.</ref>
! style="width: 100px;" | Vietnamese<br />name
! style="width: 100px;" | Japanese<br />name
! style="width: 100px;" | Ryukyuan<br />(Okinawan) name
! style="width: 100px;" | English<br />name (Hong Kong Observatory)<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 24 Solar Terms|url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/time/24solarterms.htm|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory}}</ref>
! style="width: 80px;" | English<br />name<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.chinanews.com.cn/cul/2022/02-04/9668543.shtml |script-title=zh:二十四节气上了北京冬奥开幕式，牛！ |trans-title=The 24 solar terms were used in the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Awesome! |work=China News |language=zh}}</ref>
! style="width: 80px;" | Gregorian<br />Date<ref>Date can vary within a ±1 day range.</ref><br /><small>(± 1 day)</small>
! style="width: 80px;" | Reference for<br />Month Intercalating
! style="width: 80px;" | Corresponding Western [[astrological sign]]
|- style="background:#;"
! rowspan="6" |[[Spring (season)|Spring]]
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Tiger (zodiac)|Tiger]] ({{lang|zh|虎}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Yín}} ({{lang|zh|寅}})
| align="right" | 315°
| {{lang|zh|[[Lichun|立春]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|lìchūn}}
| {{lang|ko|立春 (입춘/립춘)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|ipchun/ripchun}}
| {{lang|vi|Lập xuân|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(立春)}}
| {{lang|ja|立春（りっしゅん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|risshun}}
| {{lang|ryu|立春（りっしゅん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|risshun}}
| Spring commences
| Beginning of Spring
| Feb 4
| 1st month initial
|style="background:#;"| [[Aquarius (astrology)|Aquarius]]
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 330°
| {{lang|zh|[[Yushui (solar term)|雨水]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|yǔshuǐ}}<ref>the Yushui and Jingzhe have been exchanged by Liu Xin in Han dynasty.</ref>
| {{lang|ko|雨水 (우수)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|usu}}
| {{lang|vi|Vũ thủy|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(雨水)}}
| {{lang|ja|雨水（うすい）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|usui}}
| {{lang|ryu|雨水（うしー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|ushii}}
| Rain water
| Rain Water
| Feb&nbsp;19
| 1st month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Pisces (astrology)|Pisces]]
|- style="background:#;"
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Rabbit (zodiac)|Rabbit]] ({{lang|zh|兔}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Mǎo}} ({{lang|zh|卯}})
| align="right" | 345°
| {{lang|zh-Hant|[[Jingzhe|驚蟄]]}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|惊蛰}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|jīngzhé}}<ref>the Jingzhe and Yushui have been exchanged by Liu Xin in Han dynasty.</ref>
| {{lang|ko|驚蟄 (경칩)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|gyeongchip}}
| {{lang|vi|Kinh trập|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(驚蟄)}}
| {{lang|ja|啓蟄（けいちつ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|keichitsu}}
|
{{lang|ryu|驚く（うどぅるく）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|uduruku}};<br />
{{lang|ryu|驚くー（おどるくー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|udurukuu}};<br />
{{lang|ryu|虫驚（むしうどぅるく）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|mushi'uduruku}}
| Insects waken
| Awakening of Insects
| Mar 6
| 2nd month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 0°
| {{lang|zh|[[Chunfen|春分]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|chūnfēn}}
| {{lang|ko|春分 (춘분)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|chunbun}}
| {{lang|vi|Xuân phân|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(春分)}}
| {{lang|ja|春分（しゅんぶん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shunbun}}
| {{lang|ryu|春分（すんぶん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|sunbun}}
| [[March equinox|Vernal equinox]]
| Spring Equinox
| Mar 21
| 2nd month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Aries (astrology)|Aries]]
|- style="background:#;"
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Dragon (zodiac)|Dragon]] ({{lang|zh|龍}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Chén}} ({{lang|zh|辰}})
| align="right" | 15°
| {{lang|zh|[[Qingming (solar term)|清明]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|qīngmíng}}<ref>the Qingming and Guyu have been exchanged by Liu Xin in Han dynasty.</ref>
| {{lang|ko|淸明 (청명)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|cheongmyeong}}
| {{lang|vi|Thanh minh|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(清明)}}
| {{lang|ja|清明（せいめい）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|seimei}}
| {{lang|ryu|清明（しーみー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|shiimii}}
| Bright and clear
| Pure Brightness
| Apr 5
| 3rd month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 30°
| {{lang|zh-Hant|[[Guyu|穀雨]]}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|谷雨}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|gǔyǔ}}<ref>the Guyu and Qingming have been exchanged by Liu Xin in Han dynasty.</ref>
| {{lang|ko|穀雨 (곡우)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|gogu}}
| {{lang|vi|Cốc vũ|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(穀雨)}}
| {{lang|ja|穀雨（こくう）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|kokuu}}
| {{lang|ryu|穀雨（くくー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|kukuu}}
| Corn rain
| Grain Rain
| Apr 20
| 3rd month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Taurus (astrology)|Taurus]]
|- style="background:#;"
! rowspan="6" |[[Summer]]
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Snake (zodiac)|Snake]] ({{lang|zh|蛇}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Sì}} ({{lang|zh|巳}})
| align="right" | 45°
| {{lang|zh|[[Lixia|立夏]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|lìxià}}
| {{lang|ko|立夏 (입하/립하)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|ipha/ripha}}
| {{lang|vi|Lập hạ|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(立夏)}}
| {{lang|ja|立夏（りっか）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|rikka}}
| {{lang|ryu|立夏（りっかー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|rikkaa}}
| Summer commences
| Beginning of Summer
| May 6
| 4th month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 60°
| {{lang|zh-Hant|[[Xiaoman|小滿]]}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|小满}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiǎomǎn}}
| {{lang|ko|小滿 (소만)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|soman}}
| {{lang|vi|Tiểu mãn|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(小滿)}}
| {{lang|ja|小満（しょうまん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shōman}}
| {{lang|ryu|小満（すーまん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|suuman}}
| Corn forms
| Grain Buds
| May&nbsp;21
| 4th month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Gemini (astrology)|Gemini]]
|- style="background:#;"
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" |  [[Horse (zodiac)|Horse]] ({{lang|zh|馬}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Wǔ}} ({{lang|zh|午}})
| align="right" | 75°
| {{lang|zh-Hant|[[Mangzhong|芒種]]}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|芒种}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|mángzhòng}}
| {{lang|ko|芒種 (망종)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|mangjong}}
| {{lang|vi|Mang chủng|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(芒種)}}
| {{lang|ja|芒種（ぼうしゅ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|bōshu}}
| {{lang|ryu|芒種（ぼーすー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|boosuu}}
| Corn on ear
| Grain in Ear
| Jun 6
| 5th month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 90°
| {{lang|zh|[[Xiazhi|夏至]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiàzhì}}
| {{lang|ko|夏至 (하지)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|haji}}
| {{lang|vi|Hạ chí|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(夏至)}}
| {{lang|ja|夏至（げし）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|geshi}}
| {{lang|ryu|夏至（かーちー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|kaachii}}
| [[Summer solstice]]
| Summer Solstice
| Jun 21
| 5th month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Cancer (astrology)|Cancer]]
|- style="background:#;"
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Goat (zodiac)|Goat]] ({{lang|zh|羊}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Wèi}} ({{lang|zh|未}})
| align="right" | 105°
| {{lang|zh|[[Xiaoshu|小暑]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiǎoshǔ}}
| {{lang|ko|小暑 (소서)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|soseo}}
| {{lang|vi|Tiểu thử|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(小暑)}}
| {{lang|ja|小暑（しょうしょ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shōsho}}
| {{lang|ryu|小暑（くーあちさ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|kuu'achisa}}
| Moderate heat
| Minor Heat
| Jul 7
| 6th month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 120°
| {{lang|zh|[[Dashu (solar term)|大暑]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|dàshǔ}}
| {{lang|ko|大暑 (대서)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|daeseo}}
| {{lang|vi|Đại thử|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(大暑)}}
| {{lang|ja|大暑（たいしょ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|taisho}}
| {{lang|ryu|大暑（うーあちさ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|uu'achisa}}
| Great heat
| Major heat
| Jul 23
| 6th month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Leo (astrology)|Leo]]
|- style="background:#;"
! rowspan="6" |[[Autumn]]
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Monkey (zodiac)|Monkey]] ({{lang|zh|猴}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Shēn}} ({{lang|zh|申}})
| align="right" | 135°
| {{lang|zh|[[Liqiu|立秋]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|lìqiū}}
| {{lang|ko|立秋 (입추/립추)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|ipchu/ripchu}}
| {{lang|vi|Lập thu|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(立秋)}}
| {{lang|ja|立秋（りっしゅう）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|risshū}}
| {{lang|ryu|立秋（りっすー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|rissuu}}
| Autumn commences
| Beginning of Autumn
| Aug 8
| 7th month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 150°
| {{lang|zh-Hant|[[Chushu|處暑]]}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|处暑}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|chǔshǔ}}
| {{lang|ko|處暑 (처서)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|cheoseo}}
| {{lang|vi|Xử thử|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(處暑)}}
| {{lang|ja|処暑（しょしょ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shosho}}
| {{lang|ryu|処暑（とぅくるあちさ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|tukuru'achisa}}
| End of heat
| End of Heat
| Aug 23
| 7th month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Virgo (astrology)|Virgo]]
|- style="background:#;"
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Rooster (zodiac)|Rooster]] ({{lang|zh|雞}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Yǒu}} ({{lang|zh|酉}})
| align="right" | 165°
| {{lang|zh|[[Bailu (solar term)|白露]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|báilù}}
| {{lang|ko|白露 (백로)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|baengno}}
| {{lang|vi|Bạch lộ|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(白露)}}
| {{lang|ja|白露（はくろ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|hakuro}}
| {{lang|ryu|白露（ふぁくるー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|fakuruu}}
| White dew
| White Dew
| Sep 8
| 8th month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 180°
| {{lang|zh|[[Qiufen|秋分]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|qiūfēn}}
| {{lang|ko|秋分 (추분)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|chubun}}
| {{lang|vi|Thu phân|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(秋分)}}
| {{lang|ja|秋分（しゅうぶん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shūbun}}
| {{lang|ryu|秋分（すーぶん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|suubun}}
| [[September equinox|Autumnal equinox]]
| Autumn Equinox
| Sep 23
| 8th month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Libra (astrology)|Libra]]
|- style="background:#;"
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Dog (zodiac)|Dog]] ({{lang|zh|狗}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Xū}} ({{lang|zh|戌}})
| align="right" | 195°
| {{lang|zh|[[Hanlu|寒露]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|hánlù}}
| {{lang|ko|寒露 (한로)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|hallo}}
| {{lang|vi|Hàn lộ|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(寒露)}}
| {{lang|ja|寒露（かんろ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|kanro}}
| {{lang|ryu|寒露（かんるー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|kanruu}}
| Cold dew
| Cold Dew
| Oct 8
| 9th month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 210°
| {{lang|zh|[[Shuangjiang (solar term)|霜降]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|shuāngjiàng}}
| {{lang|ko|霜降 (상강)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|sanggang}}
| {{lang|vi|Sương giáng|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(霜降)}}
| {{lang|ja|霜降（そうこう）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|sōkō}}
| {{lang|ryu|霜降（しむくだり）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|shimukudari}}
| Frost
| Frost's Descent
| Oct 23
| 9th month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Scorpio (astrology)|Scorpio]]
|- style="background:#;"
! rowspan="6" |[[Winter]]
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Pig (zodiac)|Pig]] ({{lang|zh|豬}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Hài}} ({{lang|zh|亥}})
| align="right" | 225°
| {{lang|zh|[[Lidong|立冬]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|lìdōng}}
| {{lang|ko|立冬 (입동/립동)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|ipdong/ripdong}}
| {{lang|vi|Lập đông|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(立冬)}}
| {{lang|ja|立冬（りっとう）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|rittō}}
| {{lang|ryu|立冬（りっとぅー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|rittuu}}
| Winter commences
| Beginning of Winter
| Nov 7
| 10th month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 240°
| {{lang|zh|[[Xiaoxue|小雪]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiǎoxuě}}
| {{lang|ko|小雪 (소설)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|soseol}}
| {{lang|vi|Tiểu tuyết|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(小雪)}}
| {{lang|ja|小雪（しょうせつ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shōsetsu}}
| {{lang|ryu|小雪（くーゆち）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|kuuyuchi}}
| Light snow
| Minor Snow
| Nov 22
| 10th month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Sagittarius (astrology)|Sagittarius]]
|- style="background:#;"
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | [[Rat (zodiac)|Rat]] ({{lang|zh|鼠}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Zǐ}} ({{lang|zh|子}})
| align="right" | 255°
| {{lang|zh|[[Daxue (solar term)|大雪]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|dàxuě}}
| {{lang|ko|大雪 (대설)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|daeseol}}
| {{lang|vi|Đại tuyết|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(大雪)}}
| {{lang|ja|大雪（たいせつ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|taisetsu}}
| {{lang|ryu|大雪（うーゆち）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|uuyuchi}}
| Heavy snow
| Major Snow
| Dec 7
| 11th month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 270°
| {{lang|zh|[[Dongzhi (solar term)|冬至]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|dōngzhì}}
| {{lang|ko|冬至 (동지)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|dongji}}
| {{lang|vi|Đông chí|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(冬至)}}
| {{lang|ja|冬至（とうじ）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|tōji}}
| {{lang|ryu|冬至（とぅんじー）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|tunjii}}
| [[Winter solstice]]
| Winter Solstice
| Dec 22
| 11th month midpoint
|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| [[Capricorn (astrology)|Capricorn]]
|- style="background:#;"
| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" |  [[Ox (zodiac)|Ox]] ({{lang|zh|牛}})<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Chǒu}} ({{lang|zh|丑}})
| align="right" | 285°
| {{lang|zh|[[Xiaohan|小寒]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiǎohán}}
| {{lang|ko|小寒 (소한)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|sohan}}
| {{lang|vi|Tiểu hàn|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(小寒)}}
| {{lang|ja|小寒（しょうかん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shōkan}}
| {{lang|ryu|小寒（すーかん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|suukan}}
| Moderate cold
| Minor Cold
| Jan 6
| 12th month initial
|- style="background:#;"
| align="right" | 300°
| {{lang|zh|[[Dahan (solar term)|大寒]]}}<br />{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|dàhán}}
| {{lang|ko|大寒 (대한)}}<br />{{Transliteration|ko|rr|daehan}}
| {{lang|vi|Đại hàn|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(大寒)}}
| {{lang|ja|大寒（だいかん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|daikan}}
| {{lang|ryu|大寒（でーかん）}}<br />{{Transliteration|ryu|deekan}}
| Severe cold
| Major Cold
| Jan 20
| 12th month midpoint
|style="background:#;"| Aquarius
|}

== Chinese mnemonic song ==
The "Song of Solar Terms" ({{lang-zh|t=節氣歌|s=节气歌|p=jiéqìgē}}) is used to ease the memorization of ''jieqi'':

{{col-begin}}{{col-3}}
;Traditional Chinese:
{{lang|zh-Hant|春雨驚春清穀天}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hant|夏滿芒夏暑相連}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hant|秋處露秋寒霜降}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hant|冬雪雪冬小大寒}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hant|每月兩節不變更}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hant|最多相差一兩天}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hant|上半年來六、廿一}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hant|下半年是八、廿三}}<br />
{{col-3}}
;Simplified Chinese:
{{lang|zh-Hans|春雨惊春清谷天}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hans|夏满芒夏暑相连}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hans|秋处露秋寒霜降}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hans|冬雪雪冬小大寒}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hans|每月两节不变更}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hans|最多相差一两天}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hans|上半年来六、廿一}}<br />
{{lang|zh-Hans|下半年是八、廿三}}<br />
{{col-3}}
;Pinyin
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|chūn yǔ jīng chūn qīng gǔ tiān,<br />
xià mǎn máng xià shǔ xiāng lián,<br />
qiū chù lù qiū hán shuāng jiàng,<br />
dōng xuě xuě dōng xiǎo dà hán.<br />
měi yuè liǎng jié bù biàn gēng,<br />
zùi duō xiāng chā yī liǎng tiān<br />
shàng bàn nián lái liù, niàn yī<br />
xià bàn nián shì bā, niàn sān<br />}}
{{col-end}}

The first four lines provides a concise version of the names of the 24 ''jieqi''. The last four lines provide some rules of thumb about the Gregorian dates of ''jieqi'', namely:
* Two ''jieqi'' per month;
* Gregorian dates are off by one or two days at most;
* In the first half of the year, ''jieqi'' happens around the 6th and 21st day of each (Gregorian) month;
* In the second half of the year, ''jieqi'' happens around the 8th and 23rd day of each (Gregorian) month.

== Determination ==
{{See also|Ecliptic#Sun's apparent motion}}
[[File:Tiết Khí.svg|thumb|Chart with the solar terms and their [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] names]]
The modern definition using ecliptic longitudes, introduced by the [[Shixian calendar]], is known as {{lang|zh-Hans|定气法}} ({{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|dìng qì fǎ}}, {{gloss|steady term method}}). Under this method, the determination of solar terms is similar to the astronomical determination of the special cases of [[equinox]] and [[solstice]] dates, with different ecliptic longitudes to solve for. One can start with an approximation and then perform a correction using the anomalies and [[mean motion]] of the sun.<ref>{{cite web |title=Determination of Equinox and Solstice Dates |url=http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/Books/Syntaxis/Almagest/node36.html |website=farside.ph.utexas.edu}}</ref> The [[JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System]] may be used to query for exact times of solar terms.

The older method is known as {{lang|zh-Hans|平气法}}  ({{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|píng qì fǎ}}, {{gloss|equal term method}}) and simply divides the [[tropical year]] into 24 equal parts.

== Regional note ==
In Japan, the term {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|[[Setsubun]]}} ({{lang|ja|節分}}) originally referred to the eves of {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|[[Risshun]]}} ({{lang|ja|立春}}, 315°, the beginning of Spring), {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|[[Lixia|Rikka]]}} ({{lang|ja|立夏}}, 45°, the beginning of Summer), {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|[[Risshū]]}} ({{lang|ja|立秋}}, 135°, the beginning of Autumn), and {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|[[Lidong|Rittō]]}} ({{lang|ja|立冬}}, 225°, the beginning of Winter), but currently mostly refers to the day before {{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|Risshun}}. The name of each solar term also refers to the period of time between that day and the next solar term, or 1/24th of a year.

== See also ==
* [[Chinese calendar]]
* [[Korean calendar]]
* [[Japanese calendar]]
* [[Vietnamese calendar]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://nakshatra.tokyo/24/ 24 Solar Terms calculator]
* [https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/time/24solarterms.htm 24 Solar Terms – Hong Kong Observatory]
*[https://www.chinafetching.com/24-solar-terms-in-chinese-calendar Twenty Four Solar Terms and Their Customs in China]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080509165622/http://chinesecalendar.orados.com/ Chinese calendar with upcoming solar terms in current year]
* [http://eco.mtk.nao.ac.jp/koyomi/faq/24sekki.html.en 24 Sekki – NAOJ > ECO > Glossary >]
* [http://www.yourchineseastrology.com/calendar/24-solar-terms.htm Twenty-four Solar Terms and meaning]
* [https://www.chinesecalendaronline.com/solar-terms/ Date and time of Solar Terms]
* [https://www.chinaeducationaltours.com/guide/culture-24-solar-terms.htm The 24 Solar Terms]

[[Category:Solar terms| ]]
[[Category:Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]]