Solar terms in 1971
The exact moment of all 24 solar terms in 1971, in China Standard Time and UTC.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 6 07:45 AM | Jan 5 11:45 PM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 21 01:13 AM | Jan 20 05:13 PM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 4 07:26 PM | Feb 4 11:26 AM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 19 03:27 PM | Feb 19 07:27 AM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 6 01:35 PM | Mar 6 05:35 AM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 21 02:38 PM | Mar 21 06:38 AM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 5 06:36 PM | Apr 5 10:36 AM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 21 01:53 AM | Apr 20 05:53 PM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 6 12:07 PM | May 6 04:07 AM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 22 01:14 AM | May 21 05:14 PM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 6 04:28 PM | Jun 6 08:28 AM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 22 09:19 AM | Jun 22 01:19 AM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 8 02:50 AM | Jul 7 06:50 PM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 23 08:14 PM | Jul 23 12:14 PM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 8 12:40 PM | Aug 8 04:40 AM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 24 03:15 AM | Aug 23 07:15 PM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 8 03:29 PM | Sep 8 07:29 AM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 24 12:44 AM | Sep 23 04:44 PM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 9 06:58 AM | Oct 8 10:58 PM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 24 09:52 AM | Oct 24 01:52 AM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 8 09:56 AM | Nov 8 01:56 AM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 23 07:13 AM | Nov 22 11:13 PM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 8 02:35 AM | Dec 7 06:35 PM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 22 08:23 PM | Dec 22 12:23 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.