Solar terms in 1959
The exact moment of all 24 solar terms in 1959, in China Standard Time and UTC.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 6 09:58 AM | Jan 6 01:58 AM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 21 03:19 AM | Jan 20 07:19 PM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 4 09:42 PM | Feb 4 01:42 PM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 19 05:37 PM | Feb 19 09:37 AM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 6 03:56 PM | Mar 6 07:56 AM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 21 04:54 PM | Mar 21 08:54 AM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 5 09:02 PM | Apr 5 01:02 PM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 21 04:16 AM | Apr 20 08:16 PM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 6 02:38 PM | May 6 06:38 AM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 22 03:41 AM | May 21 07:41 PM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 6 06:59 PM | Jun 6 10:59 AM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 22 11:49 AM | Jun 22 03:49 AM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 8 05:19 AM | Jul 7 09:19 PM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 23 10:45 PM | Jul 23 02:45 PM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 8 03:04 PM | Aug 8 07:04 AM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 24 05:43 AM | Aug 23 09:43 PM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 8 05:47 PM | Sep 8 09:47 AM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 24 03:08 AM | Sep 23 07:08 PM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 9 09:09 AM | Oct 9 01:09 AM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 24 12:11 PM | Oct 24 04:11 AM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 8 12:02 PM | Nov 8 04:02 AM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 23 09:27 AM | Nov 23 01:27 AM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 8 04:37 AM | Dec 7 08:37 PM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 22 10:34 PM | Dec 22 02:34 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.