solar term

{{Short description|Any of 24 periods of traditional East Asian lunisolar calendars}}

File:24solarterms.png

{{Infobox Chinese

| title = (Twenty-four) solar terms

| t = (二十四)節氣

| s = (二十四)节气

| j = (ji6 sap6 sei3) zit3 hei3

| 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 lunisolar calendars that matches a particular astronomical event or signifies some natural phenomenon.{{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}} The points are spaced 15° apart along the eclipticUntil 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. 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 intercalary months;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". 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 (Winter Solstice) by 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}}).{{Cite book|title=Book of Documents}} 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.{{Cite book|title=Book of Han|last=Ban|first=Gu}}

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 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.[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. 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.{{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}}

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 (Z12).{{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}}

Multilingual list

class="wikitable"
style="background:#efefef;"

!Season

! style="width: 80px;" | Chinese zodiac & Earthly Branch of Month

! style="width: 80px;" | Sun's ecliptic
longitude

! style="width: 100px;" | Chinese
nameSimplified Chinese characters are shown in parentheses if they differ from the Traditional Chinese characters.

! style="width: 100px;" | Korean nameHangul 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.

! style="width: 100px;" | Vietnamese
name

! style="width: 100px;" | Japanese
name

! style="width: 100px;" | Ryukyuan
(Okinawan) name

! style="width: 100px;" | English
name (Hong Kong Observatory){{Cite web|title=The 24 Solar Terms|url=https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/gts/time/24solarterms.htm|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory}}

! style="width: 80px;" | English
name{{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}}

! style="width: 80px;" | Gregorian
DateDate can vary within a ±1 day range.
(± 1 day)

! style="width: 80px;" | Reference for
Month Intercalating

! style="width: 80px;" | Corresponding Western astrological sign

style="background:#;"

! rowspan="6" |Spring

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Tiger ({{lang|zh|虎}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Yín}} ({{lang|zh|寅}})

| align="right" | 315°

| {{lang|zh|立春}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|lìchūn}}

| {{lang|ko|立春 (입춘/립춘)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|ipchun/ripchun}}

| {{lang|vi|Lập xuân|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(立春)}}

| {{lang|ja|立春(りっしゅん)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|risshun}}

| {{lang|ryu|立春(りっしゅん)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|risshun}}

| Spring commences

| Beginning of Spring

| Feb 4

| 1st month initial

|style="background:#;"| Aquarius

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 330°

| {{lang|zh|雨水}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|yǔshuǐ}}the Yushui and Jingzhe have been exchanged by Liu Xin in Han dynasty.

| {{lang|ko|雨水 (우수)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|usu}}

| {{lang|vi|Vũ thủy|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(雨水)}}

| {{lang|ja|雨水(うすい)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|usui}}

| {{lang|ryu|雨水(うしー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|ushii}}

| Rain water

| Rain Water

| Feb 19

| 1st month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Pisces

style="background:#;"

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Rabbit ({{lang|zh|兔}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Mǎo}} ({{lang|zh|卯}})

| align="right" | 345°

| {{lang|zh-Hant|驚蟄}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|惊蛰}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|jīngzhé}}the Jingzhe and Yushui have been exchanged by Liu Xin in Han dynasty.

| {{lang|ko|驚蟄 (경칩)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|gyeongchip}}

| {{lang|vi|Kinh trập|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(驚蟄)}}

| {{lang|ja|啓蟄(けいちつ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|keichitsu}}

|

{{lang|ryu|驚く(うどぅるく)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|uduruku}};

{{lang|ryu|驚くー(おどるくー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|udurukuu}};

{{lang|ryu|虫驚(むしうどぅるく)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|mushi'uduruku}}

| Insects waken

| Awakening of Insects

| Mar 6

| 2nd month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 0°

| {{lang|zh|春分}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|chūnfēn}}

| {{lang|ko|春分 (춘분)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|chunbun}}

| {{lang|vi|Xuân phân|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(春分)}}

| {{lang|ja|春分(しゅんぶん)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shunbun}}

| {{lang|ryu|春分(すんぶん)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|sunbun}}

| Vernal equinox

| Spring Equinox

| Mar 21

| 2nd month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Aries

style="background:#;"

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Dragon ({{lang|zh|龍}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Chén}} ({{lang|zh|辰}})

| align="right" | 15°

| {{lang|zh|清明}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|qīngmíng}}the Qingming and Guyu have been exchanged by Liu Xin in Han dynasty.

| {{lang|ko|淸明 (청명)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|cheongmyeong}}

| {{lang|vi|Thanh minh|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(清明)}}

| {{lang|ja|清明(せいめい)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|seimei}}

| {{lang|ryu|清明(しーみー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|shiimii}}

| Bright and clear

| Pure Brightness

| Apr 5

| 3rd month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 30°

| {{lang|zh-Hant|穀雨}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|谷雨}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|gǔyǔ}}the Guyu and Qingming have been exchanged by Liu Xin in Han dynasty.

| {{lang|ko|穀雨 (곡우)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|gogu}}

| {{lang|vi|Cốc vũ|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(穀雨)}}

| {{lang|ja|穀雨(こくう)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|kokuu}}

| {{lang|ryu|穀雨(くくー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|kukuu}}

| Corn rain

| Grain Rain

| Apr 20

| 3rd month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Taurus

style="background:#;"

! rowspan="6" |Summer

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Snake ({{lang|zh|蛇}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Sì}} ({{lang|zh|巳}})

| align="right" | 45°

| {{lang|zh|立夏}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|lìxià}}

| {{lang|ko|立夏 (입하/립하)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|ipha/ripha}}

| {{lang|vi|Lập hạ|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(立夏)}}

| {{lang|ja|立夏(りっか)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|rikka}}

| {{lang|ryu|立夏(りっかー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|rikkaa}}

| Summer commences

| Beginning of Summer

| May 6

| 4th month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 60°

| {{lang|zh-Hant|小滿}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|小满}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiǎomǎn}}

| {{lang|ko|小滿 (소만)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|soman}}

| {{lang|vi|Tiểu mãn|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(小滿)}}

| {{lang|ja|小満(しょうまん)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shōman}}

| {{lang|ryu|小満(すーまん)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|suuman}}

| Corn forms

| Grain Buds

| May 21

| 4th month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Gemini

style="background:#;"

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Horse ({{lang|zh|馬}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Wǔ}} ({{lang|zh|午}})

| align="right" | 75°

| {{lang|zh-Hant|芒種}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|芒种}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|mángzhòng}}

| {{lang|ko|芒種 (망종)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|mangjong}}

| {{lang|vi|Mang chủng|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(芒種)}}

| {{lang|ja|芒種(ぼうしゅ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|bōshu}}

| {{lang|ryu|芒種(ぼーすー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|boosuu}}

| Corn on ear

| Grain in Ear

| Jun 6

| 5th month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 90°

| {{lang|zh|夏至}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiàzhì}}

| {{lang|ko|夏至 (하지)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|haji}}

| {{lang|vi|Hạ chí|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(夏至)}}

| {{lang|ja|夏至(げし)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|geshi}}

| {{lang|ryu|夏至(かーちー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|kaachii}}

| Summer solstice

| Summer Solstice

| Jun 21

| 5th month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Cancer

style="background:#;"

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Goat ({{lang|zh|羊}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Wèi}} ({{lang|zh|未}})

| align="right" | 105°

| {{lang|zh|小暑}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiǎoshǔ}}

| {{lang|ko|小暑 (소서)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|soseo}}

| {{lang|vi|Tiểu thử|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(小暑)}}

| {{lang|ja|小暑(しょうしょ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shōsho}}

| {{lang|ryu|小暑(くーあちさ)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|kuu'achisa}}

| Moderate heat

| Minor Heat

| Jul 7

| 6th month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 120°

| {{lang|zh|大暑}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|dàshǔ}}

| {{lang|ko|大暑 (대서)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|daeseo}}

| {{lang|vi|Đại thử|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(大暑)}}

| {{lang|ja|大暑(たいしょ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|taisho}}

| {{lang|ryu|大暑(うーあちさ)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|uu'achisa}}

| Great heat

| Major heat

| Jul 23

| 6th month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Leo

style="background:#;"

! rowspan="6" |Autumn

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Monkey ({{lang|zh|猴}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Shēn}} ({{lang|zh|申}})

| align="right" | 135°

| {{lang|zh|立秋}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|lìqiū}}

| {{lang|ko|立秋 (입추/립추)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|ipchu/ripchu}}

| {{lang|vi|Lập thu|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(立秋)}}

| {{lang|ja|立秋(りっしゅう)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|risshū}}

| {{lang|ryu|立秋(りっすー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|rissuu}}

| Autumn commences

| Beginning of Autumn

| Aug 8

| 7th month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 150°

| {{lang|zh-Hant|處暑}} ({{lang|zh-Hans|处暑}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|chǔshǔ}}

| {{lang|ko|處暑 (처서)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|cheoseo}}

| {{lang|vi|Xử thử|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(處暑)}}

| {{lang|ja|処暑(しょしょ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shosho}}

| {{lang|ryu|処暑(とぅくるあちさ)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|tukuru'achisa}}

| End of heat

| End of Heat

| Aug 23

| 7th month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Virgo

style="background:#;"

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Rooster ({{lang|zh|雞}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Yǒu}} ({{lang|zh|酉}})

| align="right" | 165°

| {{lang|zh|白露}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|báilù}}

| {{lang|ko|白露 (백로)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|baengno}}

| {{lang|vi|Bạch lộ|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(白露)}}

| {{lang|ja|白露(はくろ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|hakuro}}

| {{lang|ryu|白露(ふぁくるー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|fakuruu}}

| White dew

| White Dew

| Sep 8

| 8th month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 180°

| {{lang|zh|秋分}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|qiūfēn}}

| {{lang|ko|秋分 (추분)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|chubun}}

| {{lang|vi|Thu phân|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(秋分)}}

| {{lang|ja|秋分(しゅうぶん)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shūbun}}

| {{lang|ryu|秋分(すーぶん)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|suubun}}

| Autumnal equinox

| Autumn Equinox

| Sep 23

| 8th month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Libra

style="background:#;"

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Dog ({{lang|zh|狗}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Xū}} ({{lang|zh|戌}})

| align="right" | 195°

| {{lang|zh|寒露}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|hánlù}}

| {{lang|ko|寒露 (한로)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|hallo}}

| {{lang|vi|Hàn lộ|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(寒露)}}

| {{lang|ja|寒露(かんろ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|kanro}}

| {{lang|ryu|寒露(かんるー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|kanruu}}

| Cold dew

| Cold Dew

| Oct 8

| 9th month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 210°

| {{lang|zh|霜降}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|shuāngjiàng}}

| {{lang|ko|霜降 (상강)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|sanggang}}

| {{lang|vi|Sương giáng|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(霜降)}}

| {{lang|ja|霜降(そうこう)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|sōkō}}

| {{lang|ryu|霜降(しむくだり)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|shimukudari}}

| Frost

| Frost's Descent

| Oct 23

| 9th month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Scorpio

style="background:#;"

! rowspan="6" |Winter

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Pig ({{lang|zh|豬}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Hài}} ({{lang|zh|亥}})

| align="right" | 225°

| {{lang|zh|立冬}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|lìdōng}}

| {{lang|ko|立冬 (입동/립동)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|ipdong/ripdong}}

| {{lang|vi|Lập đông|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(立冬)}}

| {{lang|ja|立冬(りっとう)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|rittō}}

| {{lang|ryu|立冬(りっとぅー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|rittuu}}

| Winter commences

| Beginning of Winter

| Nov 7

| 10th month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 240°

| {{lang|zh|小雪}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiǎoxuě}}

| {{lang|ko|小雪 (소설)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|soseol}}

| {{lang|vi|Tiểu tuyết|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(小雪)}}

| {{lang|ja|小雪(しょうせつ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shōsetsu}}

| {{lang|ryu|小雪(くーゆち)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|kuuyuchi}}

| Light snow

| Minor Snow

| Nov 22

| 10th month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Sagittarius

style="background:#;"

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Rat ({{lang|zh|鼠}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Zǐ}} ({{lang|zh|子}})

| align="right" | 255°

| {{lang|zh|大雪}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|dàxuě}}

| {{lang|ko|大雪 (대설)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|daeseol}}

| {{lang|vi|Đại tuyết|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(大雪)}}

| {{lang|ja|大雪(たいせつ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|taisetsu}}

| {{lang|ryu|大雪(うーゆち)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|uuyuchi}}

| Heavy snow

| Major Snow

| Dec 7

| 11th month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 270°

| {{lang|zh|冬至}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|dōngzhì}}

| {{lang|ko|冬至 (동지)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|dongji}}

| {{lang|vi|Đông chí|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(冬至)}}

| {{lang|ja|冬至(とうじ)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|tōji}}

| {{lang|ryu|冬至(とぅんじー)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|tunjii}}

| Winter solstice

| Winter Solstice

| Dec 22

| 11th month midpoint

|style="background:#;" rowspan="2"| Capricorn

style="background:#;"

| rowspan="2" style="background:#;" | Ox ({{lang|zh|牛}})
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|Chǒu}} ({{lang|zh|丑}})

| align="right" | 285°

| {{lang|zh|小寒}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|xiǎohán}}

| {{lang|ko|小寒 (소한)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|sohan}}

| {{lang|vi|Tiểu hàn|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(小寒)}}

| {{lang|ja|小寒(しょうかん)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|shōkan}}

| {{lang|ryu|小寒(すーかん)}}
{{Transliteration|ryu|suukan}}

| Moderate cold

| Minor Cold

| Jan 6

| 12th month initial

style="background:#;"

| align="right" | 300°

| {{lang|zh|大寒}}
{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|dàhán}}

| {{lang|ko|大寒 (대한)}}
{{Transliteration|ko|rr|daehan}}

| {{lang|vi|Đại hàn|italic=no}} {{vi-nom|(大寒)}}

| {{lang|ja|大寒(だいかん)}}
{{Transliteration|ja|hepburn|daikan}}

| {{lang|ryu|大寒(でーかん)}}
{{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}}

{{lang|zh-Hant|夏滿芒夏暑相連}}

{{lang|zh-Hant|秋處露秋寒霜降}}

{{lang|zh-Hant|冬雪雪冬小大寒}}

{{lang|zh-Hant|每月兩節不變更}}

{{lang|zh-Hant|最多相差一兩天}}

{{lang|zh-Hant|上半年來六、廿一}}

{{lang|zh-Hant|下半年是八、廿三}}

{{col-3}}

;Simplified Chinese:

{{lang|zh-Hans|春雨惊春清谷天}}

{{lang|zh-Hans|夏满芒夏暑相连}}

{{lang|zh-Hans|秋处露秋寒霜降}}

{{lang|zh-Hans|冬雪雪冬小大寒}}

{{lang|zh-Hans|每月两节不变更}}

{{lang|zh-Hans|最多相差一两天}}

{{lang|zh-Hans|上半年来六、廿一}}

{{lang|zh-Hans|下半年是八、廿三}}

{{col-3}}

;Pinyin

{{Transliteration|zh|pinyin|chūn yǔ jīng chūn qīng gǔ tiān,

xià mǎn máng xià shǔ xiāng lián,

qiū chù lù qiū hán shuāng jiàng,

dōng xuě xuě dōng xiǎo dà hán.

měi yuè liǎng jié bù biàn gēng,

zùi duō xiāng chā yī liǎng tiān

shàng bàn nián lái liù, niàn yī

xià bàn nián shì bā, niàn sān
}}

{{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 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.{{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}} 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|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|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

References

{{reflist}}