Solar terms in 2013
The exact moment of all 24 solar terms in 2013, in China Standard Time and UTC.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 5 12:33 PM | Jan 5 04:33 AM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 20 05:51 AM | Jan 19 09:51 PM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 4 12:13 AM | Feb 3 04:13 PM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 18 08:01 PM | Feb 18 12:01 PM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 5 06:14 PM | Mar 5 10:14 AM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 20 07:01 PM | Mar 20 11:01 AM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 4 11:02 PM | Apr 4 03:02 PM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 20 06:03 AM | Apr 19 10:03 PM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 5 04:18 PM | May 5 08:18 AM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 21 05:09 AM | May 20 09:09 PM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 5 08:23 PM | Jun 5 12:23 PM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 21 01:03 PM | Jun 21 05:03 AM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 7 06:34 AM | Jul 6 10:34 PM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 22 11:55 PM | Jul 22 03:55 PM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 7 04:20 PM | Aug 7 08:20 AM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 23 07:01 AM | Aug 22 11:01 PM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 7 07:16 PM | Sep 7 11:16 AM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 23 04:43 AM | Sep 22 08:43 PM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 8 10:58 AM | Oct 8 02:58 AM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 23 02:09 PM | Oct 23 06:09 AM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 7 02:14 PM | Nov 7 06:14 AM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 22 11:48 AM | Nov 22 03:48 AM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 7 07:08 AM | Dec 6 11:08 PM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 22 01:11 AM | Dec 21 05:11 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.