Solar terms in 1931
The exact moment of all 24 solar terms in 1931, in China Standard Time and UTC.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 6 02:55 PM | Jan 6 06:55 AM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 21 08:17 AM | Jan 21 12:17 AM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 5 02:40 AM | Feb 4 06:40 PM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 19 10:40 PM | Feb 19 02:40 PM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 6 09:02 PM | Mar 6 01:02 PM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 21 10:06 PM | Mar 21 02:06 PM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 6 02:20 AM | Apr 5 06:20 PM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 21 09:39 AM | Apr 21 01:39 AM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 6 08:09 PM | May 6 12:09 PM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 22 09:15 AM | May 22 01:15 AM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 7 12:41 AM | Jun 6 04:41 PM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 22 05:28 PM | Jun 22 09:28 AM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 8 11:05 AM | Jul 8 03:05 AM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 24 04:21 AM | Jul 23 08:21 PM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 8 08:44 PM | Aug 8 12:44 PM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 24 11:10 AM | Aug 24 03:10 AM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 8 11:17 PM | Sep 8 03:17 PM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 24 08:23 AM | Sep 24 12:23 AM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 9 02:26 PM | Oct 9 06:26 AM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 24 05:15 PM | Oct 24 09:15 AM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 8 05:09 PM | Nov 8 09:09 AM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 23 02:24 PM | Nov 23 06:24 AM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 8 09:40 AM | Dec 8 01:40 AM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 23 03:29 AM | Dec 22 07:29 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.