Solar terms in 2008
The exact moment of all 24 solar terms in 2008, in China Standard Time and UTC.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 6 07:24 AM | Jan 5 11:24 PM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 21 12:43 AM | Jan 20 04:43 PM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 4 07:00 PM | Feb 4 11:00 AM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 19 02:49 PM | Feb 19 06:49 AM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 5 12:58 PM | Mar 5 04:58 AM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 20 01:48 PM | Mar 20 05:48 AM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 4 05:45 PM | Apr 4 09:45 AM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 20 12:51 AM | Apr 19 04:51 PM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 5 11:03 AM | May 5 03:03 AM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 21 12:00 AM | May 20 04:00 PM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 5 03:11 PM | Jun 5 07:11 AM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 21 07:59 AM | Jun 20 11:59 PM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 7 01:26 AM | Jul 6 05:26 PM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 22 06:54 PM | Jul 22 10:54 AM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 7 11:16 AM | Aug 7 03:16 AM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 23 02:02 AM | Aug 22 06:02 PM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 7 02:14 PM | Sep 7 06:14 AM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 22 11:44 PM | Sep 22 03:44 PM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 8 05:56 AM | Oct 7 09:56 PM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 23 09:08 AM | Oct 23 01:08 AM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 7 09:10 AM | Nov 7 01:10 AM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 22 06:44 AM | Nov 21 10:44 PM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 7 02:02 AM | Dec 6 06:02 PM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 21 08:03 PM | Dec 21 12:03 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.