24 Chinese Solar Terms 2026: Dates, Times & Months

Minor Cold opens the final pair of cold-named terms, placing the calendar firmly in late winter.

Major Cold completes the twenty-four-term cycle before the traditional spring begins again at Lichun.

Start of Spring opens the traditional spring season, turning the agricultural calendar toward a new cycle of growth.

Rain Water names the spring moisture awaited to soften dry soil and support sowing.

Awakening of Insects evokes dormant creatures stirring as warmth returns in the traditional seasonal sequence.

Spring Equinox marks the balance around equal day and night, midway through the traditional spring season.

Clear and Bright evokes spring’s fresh appearance and names the season of Qingming remembrance and outings.

Grain Rain connects late-spring rainfall with the nourishment of newly planted crops.

Start of Summer shifts the seasonal calendar from spring emergence toward active growth.

Grain Full describes grain filling before complete ripeness; southern farming traditions also connect its name with rising water.

Grain in Ear names the busy overlap of harvesting awned grains and planting summer crops.

Summer Solstice marks the Northern Hemisphere’s longest daylight, followed by gradually shorter days.

Minor Heat introduces the midsummer heat sequence, leading toward the stronger emphasis of Major Heat.

Major Heat represents high summer in the traditional calendar, linking strong heat with tending growing crops.

Start of Autumn turns the traditional agricultural calendar toward ripening and harvest, even where summer heat remains.

End of Heat names the seasonal retreat of summer warmth, before the dew-named autumn terms.

White Dew evokes pale droplets on plants as cooling nights become a sign of autumn.

Autumn Equinox marks another balance around equal day and night, midway through the traditional autumn season.

Cold Dew deepens the autumn cooling expressed by White Dew, drawing attention to the approaching cold season.

Frost’s Descent closes the traditional autumn sequence with the image of frost and concern for vulnerable crops.

Start of Winter turns the agricultural year toward stored harvests, shelter and care for livestock.

Minor Snow introduces snowy imagery reflecting the approach of deeper winter in the calendar’s northern agricultural setting.

Major Snow strengthens that winter imagery, marking a later stage of the season than Minor Snow.

Winter Solstice marks the Northern Hemisphere’s shortest daylight, followed by the gradual return of longer days.