Season

Month

Solar Term

The Sun's Longitude

Seven Twenty-Four Solar Terms

First Term

Second Term

Third Term

Spring

Meng

Spring

Start of Spring
February 3–5

315°

East wind thaws

Hibernating insects begin to stir

Fish rise to the ice

Rain Water
February 18–20

330°

Peach trees blossom

Cuckoos call

Eagles turn into crows

Zhong

Spring

Awakening of Insects
March 5–7

345°

Otters offer fish

Swans arrive

Plants sprout

Spring Equinox
March 20–21

0°

Black birds arrive

Thunder begins to sound

Lightning begins

Ji

Spring

Pure Brightness
April 4–6

15°

Elms bloom

Field mice turn into quails

Rainbows appear

Grain Rain
April 19–21

30°

Water plants start growing

Doves brush their feathers

Cicadas descend upon mulberry trees

Summer

Meng

Summer

Start of Summer
May 5–7

45°

Crickets chirp

Earthworms emerge

Wangguas grow

Grain Full
May 20–22

60°

Bitter herbs flourish

Weeds wither

Small heat arrives

Zhong

Summer

75°

Mantis appears

Crows begin to call

Other birds fall silent

Summer Solstice
June 21–22

90°

Deer antlers shed

Cicadas begin to sing

Semi-summer plants grow

Ji

Summer

Small Heat
July 6–8

105°

Warm winds arrive

Crickets hide in corners

Eagles learn to fly

Great Heat
July 22–24

120°

Decaying grass transforms into fireflies

Soil becomes damp and hot

Heavy rain occurs regularly

Autumn

Meng

Autumn

Start of Autumn
August 7–9

135°

Cool winds arrive

White dew descends

Cicadas cry

Limit of Heat
August 22–24

150°

Eagles sacrifice birds

Heaven and earth become solemn

Grains are ripe

Zhong

Autumn

White Dew
September 7–9

165°

Wild geese arrive

Black birds return

Flocks of birds feed on fruits

Autumn Equinox
September 22–24

180°

Thunder begins to fade

Insects plug their holes

Water begins to dry up

Ji

Autumn

Cold Dew
October 8–9

195°

Wild geese arrive as guests

Birds change into shellfish

Chrysanthemums bloom yellow

Frost's Descent
October 23–24

210°

Jackals offer animals

Plants turn yellow and fall

Insects all curl up

Winter

Meng

Winter

Start of Winter
November 7–8

225°

Water begins to freeze

Ground begins to freeze

Pheasants turn into sea monsters

Minor Snow
November 22–23

240°

Rainbows disappear

Heavenly energy rises, earthly energy falls

Everything is sealed and winter begins

Zhong

Winter

Major Snow
December 6–8

255°

Horned birds remain silent

Tigers begin to mate

Lichens grow

Winter Solstice
December 21–23

270°

Earthworms form knots

Elk antlers shed

Water springs move

Ji

Winter

Minor Cold
January 5–7

285°

Geese head north

Crows begin to build nests

Quails begin to call

Major Cold
January 20–21

300°

Hens begin to hatch eggs

Raptors become fierce

Water pools are solid