Solar terms in 2003
The exact moment of all 24 solar terms in 2003, in China Standard Time and UTC.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 6 02:28 AM | Jan 5 06:28 PM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 20 07:53 PM | Jan 20 11:53 AM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 4 02:06 PM | Feb 4 06:06 AM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 19 10:01 AM | Feb 19 02:01 AM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 6 08:05 AM | Mar 6 12:05 AM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 21 09:00 AM | Mar 21 01:00 AM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 5 12:52 PM | Apr 5 04:52 AM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 20 08:03 PM | Apr 20 12:03 PM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 6 06:10 AM | May 5 10:10 PM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 21 07:12 PM | May 21 11:12 AM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 6 10:19 AM | Jun 6 02:19 AM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 22 03:10 AM | Jun 21 07:10 PM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 7 08:35 PM | Jul 7 12:35 PM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 23 02:04 PM | Jul 23 06:04 AM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 8 06:24 AM | Aug 7 10:24 PM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 23 09:08 PM | Aug 23 01:08 PM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 8 09:20 AM | Sep 8 01:20 AM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 23 06:46 PM | Sep 23 10:46 AM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 9 01:00 AM | Oct 8 05:00 PM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 24 04:08 AM | Oct 23 08:08 PM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 8 04:13 AM | Nov 7 08:13 PM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 23 01:43 AM | Nov 22 05:43 PM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 7 09:05 PM | Dec 7 01:05 PM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 22 03:03 PM | Dec 22 07:03 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.