Solar terms in 2006
The exact moment of all 24 solar terms in 2006, in China Standard Time and UTC.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 5 07:47 PM | Jan 5 11:47 AM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 20 01:15 PM | Jan 20 05:15 AM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 4 07:27 AM | Feb 3 11:27 PM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 19 03:25 AM | Feb 18 07:25 PM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 6 01:28 AM | Mar 5 05:28 PM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 21 02:25 AM | Mar 20 06:25 PM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 5 06:15 AM | Apr 4 10:15 PM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 20 01:25 PM | Apr 20 05:25 AM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 5 11:30 PM | May 5 03:30 PM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 21 12:31 PM | May 21 04:31 AM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 6 03:36 AM | Jun 5 07:36 PM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 21 08:25 PM | Jun 21 12:25 PM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 7 01:51 PM | Jul 7 05:51 AM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 23 07:17 AM | Jul 22 11:17 PM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 7 11:40 PM | Aug 7 03:40 PM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 23 02:22 PM | Aug 23 06:22 AM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 8 02:39 AM | Sep 7 06:39 PM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 23 12:03 PM | Sep 23 04:03 AM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 8 06:21 PM | Oct 8 10:21 AM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 23 09:26 PM | Oct 23 01:26 PM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 7 09:34 PM | Nov 7 01:34 PM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 22 07:01 PM | Nov 22 11:01 AM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 7 02:26 PM | Dec 7 06:26 AM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 22 08:21 AM | Dec 22 12:21 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.