The 24 solar terms: 2026
The 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar mark the Sun’s position every 15°. Exact dates and what each name means.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 5 04:23 PM | Jan 5 08:23 AM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 20 09:44 AM | Jan 20 01:44 AM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 4 04:01 AM | Feb 3 08:01 PM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 18 11:51 PM | Feb 18 03:51 PM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 5 09:58 PM | Mar 5 01:58 PM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 20 10:45 PM | Mar 20 02:45 PM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 5 02:39 AM | Apr 4 06:39 PM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 20 09:39 AM | Apr 20 01:39 AM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 5 07:49 PM | May 5 11:49 AM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 21 08:37 AM | May 21 12:37 AM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 5 11:48 PM | Jun 5 03:48 PM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 21 04:25 PM | Jun 21 08:25 AM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 7 09:57 AM | Jul 7 01:57 AM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 23 03:13 AM | Jul 22 07:13 PM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 7 07:42 PM | Aug 7 11:42 AM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 23 10:18 AM | Aug 23 02:18 AM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 7 10:41 PM | Sep 7 02:41 PM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 23 08:05 AM | Sep 23 12:05 AM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 8 02:29 PM | Oct 8 06:29 AM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 23 05:38 PM | Oct 23 09:38 AM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 7 05:52 PM | Nov 7 09:52 AM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 22 03:23 PM | Nov 22 07:23 AM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 7 10:52 AM | Dec 7 02:52 AM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 22 04:50 AM | Dec 21 08:50 PM | 270° | The shortest day in the north. |
Each term is the moment the Sun reaches a set position, so its date is a calculation, not a custom. The names come from farming life in the Yellow River valley and fit other climates loosely.