Solar terms in 2002
The exact moment of all 24 solar terms in 2002, in China Standard Time and UTC.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 5 08:43 PM | Jan 5 12:43 PM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 20 02:02 PM | Jan 20 06:02 AM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 4 08:24 AM | Feb 4 12:24 AM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 19 04:13 AM | Feb 18 08:13 PM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 6 02:27 AM | Mar 5 06:27 PM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 21 03:16 AM | Mar 20 07:16 PM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 5 07:18 AM | Apr 4 11:18 PM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 20 02:20 PM | Apr 20 06:20 AM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 6 12:37 AM | May 5 04:37 PM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 21 01:29 PM | May 21 05:29 AM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 6 04:45 AM | Jun 5 08:45 PM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 21 09:24 PM | Jun 21 01:24 PM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 7 02:56 PM | Jul 7 06:56 AM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 23 08:14 AM | Jul 23 12:14 AM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 8 12:39 AM | Aug 7 04:39 PM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 23 03:16 PM | Aug 23 07:16 AM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 8 03:31 AM | Sep 7 07:31 PM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 23 12:55 PM | Sep 23 04:55 AM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 8 07:09 PM | Oct 8 11:09 AM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 23 10:18 PM | Oct 23 02:18 PM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 7 10:22 PM | Nov 7 02:22 PM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 22 07:53 PM | Nov 22 11:53 AM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 7 03:14 PM | Dec 7 07:14 AM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 22 09:14 AM | Dec 22 01:14 AM | 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.