Four Solar Terms that mark the seasonal changes in China

You might be familiar with a few Chinese phrases like 谢谢 Xièxiè (thank you) and 再见Zàijiàn (Goodbye). Still, if you know the twenty-four solar terms of the traditional Chinese calendar, you can level up your knowledge of Chinese culture.  

The solar terms refer to the traditional Chinese calendar that marks twenty-four important times during the year. They summarize the exact time of the seasons change accordingly and help forecast the amount of sunshine, rainfall, and temperatures. They were created in ancient Chinese times and are based on the sun’s position in the zodiac. The solar terms date back to 2,100 years ago during the Han Dynasty. Back then, the solar terms helped farming communities to make decisions on when to plant seeds and harvest crops, as well as guided their daily activities.  

Let’s look at solar terms to understand their importance and meaning better. In this blog, we’ll explore the following four: the Spring Equinox, the Summer Solstice, the Autumnal Equinox, and the Winter Solstice. These terms reflect the positions of the Sun and the Earth, as well as mark the seasonal changes in China.  

 

The Spring Equinox 

The Spring Equinox is the fourth term in Spring. It marks when day and night divide equally between the northern and southern hemispheres. For 2023, the Spring Equinox is on March 21st. On this day, the daytime starts to lengthen in the northern hemisphere. In terms of climate, Spring welcomes more sunshine and warmer temperatures in most provinces in China. As a result, many farmers prepare to plant crops at this time of year. 

A popular game during the Spring Equinox is called Egg Balance. People put eggs on a flat surface and try to keep them standing still. Other activities, like flying a kite, going on a hike, or having a picnic, are welcomed by children and the youth. 

 

The Summer Solstice 

On this day, which falls on June 21st, 2023, the Northern Hemisphere has the longest daylight hours of the year. In 漠河Mòhé, the northernmost city in China, the day reaches over 17 daylight hours. Just like the Spring Equinox, the Summer Solstice is in the middle of a season. From this point onwards, summer becomes hot and rainy. Rain can be good for the crops, but the same can’t be said for the people. Take my family as an example. We live in Shanghai, a southeastern city in China. During this period of the Summer Solstice, we keep the dehumidifier on all day to prevent our furniture and clothes from becoming damp. 

The Summer Solstice was also one of the most important solar terms in ancient society when farmers worshipped their ancestors and the god of agriculture to pray for a good harvest. With the development of modern society, people in rural areas still worship their ancestors by serving food like chicken or duck. In contrast, people in cities continue the tradition of having noodles on this day. 

 

The Autumnal Equinox 

Like the Spring Equinox, the day and night divide equally between the northern and southern hemispheres on the Autumnal Equinox (September 13th, 2023). If you are interested in Chinese culture, you may know about the Mid-Autumn Festival (September 29th, 2023), when Chinese people eat mooncakes and enjoy the glorious full moon with their families. The Autumnal Equinox is close to the Mid-Autumn Festival, not just in time but in traditions. Historically, the Autumnal Equinox was when people worshipped the moon and hoped for a good year. As the moon is not always a full moon on the Autumnal Equinox, the Mid-Autumn Festival has since adopted this practice.  

Most of the cultural traditions of the Autumnal Equinox are similar to the Spring Equinox. Other interesting customs are very rare now. In the old days, artisans knocked on every farmer’s door to bring huge pictures of an ox on the farmlands and sing songs with lucky words. The farmers would give some money in return for these gifts. 

 

The Winter Solstice 

The last solar term in the physical year 2023 is 冬至dōngzhì (Winter Solstice), which is on December 22nd though it’s not the last one in the lunar calendar of 2023. Winter solstice marks the coldest time of the year. On the day of Winter Solstice, the daytime is the shortest of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.  

In most northern cities in China, people celebrate the Winter Solstice by having dumplings. While in the southern parts of China, people prefer 汤圆 Tāngyuán, which are sweet soup balls that are often stuffed with a sweet sesame filling. Noodles are another popular choice. Some Chinese people will also sweep their families’ graves and worship their ancestors as a tradition. 

 

The twenty-four solar terms reflect ancient Chinese people’s wisdom and insights into the seasonal changes and have united the Chinese nation in spirit and culture since they were created. As a country with a long history, China is also inclusive and open. Western festivals such as Christmas have become widely accepted and celebrated. By sharing insights into the solar terms, I hope they will be understood and observed by more people. Next time, when you talk to a Chinese friend or colleague, tell them what the next solar term is and be ready to hear ‘Wow’! 

 

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