The 24 Solar Terms: Chinese Names, Pinyin, and Dates
A clear reference chart for the 24 Chinese solar terms with English names, Chinese characters, pinyin, seasons, approximate dates, and links to deeper guides.
Key Takeaways- Use the table as a map.: It brings all 24 names, characters, pinyin, seasons, and approximate windows together.
- Expect date variation.: Exact solar-term times change with year, location, and calculation source.
- Open the linked guide.: Individual term pages add cultural and reflective context that a compact table cannot provide.
The 24 solar terms are a traditional Chinese system for describing the Sun's annual movement through the seasons. The cycle divides the ecliptic into 24 segments of 15 degrees. This page gives the English name, Chinese characters, pinyin, season, and an approximate Gregorian window for each term. The windows are a navigation aid, not exact astronomical times for every year and location. [C-001, C-002, C-003]
- Use the table as a map. It brings all 24 names, characters, pinyin, seasons, and approximate windows together.
- Expect date variation. Exact solar-term times change with year, location, and calculation source.
- Open the linked guide. Individual term pages add cultural and reflective context that a compact table cannot provide.
What are the 24 solar terms?
The solar terms are not 24 lunar months. They are solar markers: each corresponds to a position in the Sun's apparent annual path. The system alternates between terms traditionally called jie qi and zhong qi, creating a rhythm that connects calendar calculation with seasonal observation. [C-001]
The English labels below are practical reference labels. Individual translations vary, especially for terms such as 小满, 芒种, and 霜降. The Chinese characters and pinyin preserve the names used in the Oriens source data; the individual guide links provide cultural and reflective context beyond this table. [C-002, C-005]
Spring solar terms
| No. | English name | Chinese | Pinyin | Approximate window | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start of Spring | 立春 | Lìchūn | Feb 3–5 | Read |
| 2 | Rain Water | 雨水 | Yǔshuǐ | Feb 18–20 | Read |
| 3 | Awakening of Insects | 惊蛰 | Jīngzhé | Mar 5–7 | Read |
| 4 | Spring Equinox | 春分 | Chūnfēn | Mar 20–22 | Read |
| 5 | Pure Brightness | 清明 | Qīngmíng | Apr 4–6 | Read |
| 6 | Grain Rain | 谷雨 | Gǔyǔ | Apr 19–21 | Read |
Summer solar terms
| No. | English name | Chinese | Pinyin | Approximate window | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Start of Summer | 立夏 | Lìxià | May 5–7 | Read |
| 8 | Grain Buds | 小满 | Xiǎomǎn | May 20–22 | Read |
| 9 | Grain in Ear | 芒种 | Mángzhòng | Jun 5–7 | Read |
| 10 | Summer Solstice | 夏至 | Xiàzhì | Jun 21–22 | Read |
| 11 | Minor Heat | 小暑 | Xiǎoshǔ | Jul 6–8 | Read |
| 12 | Major Heat | 大暑 | Dàshǔ | Jul 22–24 | Read |
Autumn solar terms
| No. | English name | Chinese | Pinyin | Approximate window | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Start of Autumn | 立秋 | Lìqiū | Aug 7–9 | Read |
| 14 | End of Heat | 处暑 | Chǔshǔ | Aug 22–24 | Read |
| 15 | White Dew | 白露 | Báilù | Sep 7–9 | Read |
| 16 | Autumn Equinox | 秋分 | Qiūfēn | Sep 22–24 | Read |
| 17 | Cold Dew | 寒露 | Hánlù | Oct 8–9 | Read |
| 18 | Frost Descent | 霜降 | Shuāngjiàng | Oct 23–24 | Read |
Winter solar terms
| No. | English name | Chinese | Pinyin | Approximate window | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Start of Winter | 立冬 | Lìdōng | Nov 7–8 | Read |
| 20 | Minor Snow | 小雪 | Xiǎoxuě | Nov 22–23 | Read |
| 21 | Major Snow | 大雪 | Dàxuě | Dec 6–8 | Read |
| 22 | Winter Solstice | 冬至 | Dōngzhì | Dec 21–23 | Read |
| 23 | Minor Cold | 小寒 | Xiǎohán | Jan 5–7 | Read |
| 24 | Major Cold | 大寒 | Dàhán | Jan 20–21 | Read |
How to use the date column
Treat the date column as an approximate seasonal window. The exact instant at which the Sun reaches a solar-term position changes from year to year and depends on the time standard and location used for the calculation. For year-specific dates and times, consult the Hong Kong Observatory astronomical reference. [C-003]
The seasonal and cultural descriptions on individual Oriens pages are interpretations for reflection and study. They are not medical instructions, personality tests, agricultural guarantees, or predictions about an individual's fortune. The terms are valuable as a way of noticing time, weather, work, ritual, and change; their use should remain specific to the source and context being discussed. [C-004, C-005]
FAQ
What are the 24 solar terms?
They are 24 markers in the traditional Chinese solar calendar, each corresponding to a 15-degree segment of the Sun's apparent annual path.
What is the first Chinese solar term?
立春 (Lìchūn), usually translated as Start of Spring, is listed first in the Oriens reference sequence. Its approximate window is February 3–5.
Are the dates of the solar terms fixed?
No. The table gives approximate windows. The exact astronomical date and time varies by year, location, and calculation system.
How are the solar terms different from lunar months?
Solar terms track positions in the Sun's annual path, while lunar months track phases or cycles of the Moon. They are different calendar concepts even when traditional calendars use both.
What are the Chinese names of the solar terms?
The complete list appears in the table above, with Chinese characters and pinyin alongside each English reference label.
What is the difference between a solar term and a season?
A season is a broad part of the annual cycle. A solar term is one of 24 more precise solar markers within that cycle, so several terms belong to each season in this reference table.
Where can I read more about a specific solar term?
Use the Guide link in the table. For a broad introduction, begin with What Are the Solar Terms? and then open the individual term that interests you.