Solar terms in 2023
The exact moment of all 24 solar terms in 2023, in China Standard Time and UTC.
| Term | China Standard Time | UTC | Sun at | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Cold | Jan 5 11:04 PM | Jan 5 03:04 PM | 285° | Cold is building. |
| Major Cold | Jan 20 04:29 PM | Jan 20 08:29 AM | 300° | The coldest stretch. |
| Start of Spring | Feb 4 10:42 AM | Feb 4 02:42 AM | 315° | Spring begins by the old calendar. |
| Rain Water | Feb 19 06:34 AM | Feb 18 10:34 PM | 330° | Snow gives way to rain. |
| Awakening of Insects | Mar 6 04:36 AM | Mar 5 08:36 PM | 345° | Thunder wakes the insects. |
| Spring Equinox | Mar 21 05:24 AM | Mar 20 09:24 PM | 0° | Day and night are equal. |
| Pure Brightness | Apr 5 09:13 AM | Apr 5 01:13 AM | 15° | Clear air; a time to tend family graves. |
| Grain Rain | Apr 20 04:13 PM | Apr 20 08:13 AM | 30° | Rain that helps grain grow. |
| Start of Summer | May 6 02:18 AM | May 5 06:18 PM | 45° | Summer begins. |
| Grain Buds | May 21 03:08 PM | May 21 07:08 AM | 60° | Grain fills but isn’t ripe. |
| Grain in Ear | Jun 6 06:17 AM | Jun 5 10:17 PM | 75° | Time to sow millet and harvest wheat. |
| Summer Solstice | Jun 21 10:57 PM | Jun 21 02:57 PM | 90° | The longest day in the north. |
| Minor Heat | Jul 7 04:30 PM | Jul 7 08:30 AM | 105° | Heat is building. |
| Major Heat | Jul 23 09:50 AM | Jul 23 01:50 AM | 120° | The hottest stretch. |
| Start of Autumn | Aug 8 02:22 AM | Aug 7 06:22 PM | 135° | Autumn begins. |
| End of Heat | Aug 23 05:01 PM | Aug 23 09:01 AM | 150° | The heat ends. |
| White Dew | Sep 8 05:26 AM | Sep 7 09:26 PM | 165° | Dew forms in the cool nights. |
| Autumn Equinox | Sep 23 02:49 PM | Sep 23 06:49 AM | 180° | Day and night are equal again. |
| Cold Dew | Oct 8 09:15 PM | Oct 8 01:15 PM | 195° | Dew turns cold. |
| Frost Descent | Oct 24 12:21 AM | Oct 23 04:21 PM | 210° | The first frost comes. |
| Start of Winter | Nov 8 12:35 AM | Nov 7 04:35 PM | 225° | Winter begins. |
| Minor Snow | Nov 22 10:03 PM | Nov 22 02:03 PM | 240° | Light snow starts. |
| Major Snow | Dec 7 05:33 PM | Dec 7 09:33 AM | 255° | Heavier snow. |
| Winter Solstice | Dec 22 11:27 AM | Dec 22 03:27 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.