Twenty-four solar terms
The ancient 24 solar terms are an important part of China's traditional culture, reflecting the changing laws of natural seasons. This article will detail the nicknames for the 24 solar terms in ancient times, as well as their origin and meaning.
First of all, we need to understand the origin of the 24 solar terms. According to historical records, as early as the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, China already had the prototype of 24 solar terms. By the Qin and Han dynasties, the 24 solar terms were gradually perfected and became an indispensable part of the ancient astronomical calendar system. The establishment of the 24 solar terms is mainly to divide the four seasons of the year, so that people can better adapt to the natural environment and carry out agricultural production.
The nickname of the 24 solar terms was summed up by the ancients according to the characteristics of climate change in nature and the needs of agricultural activities. For example, "the beginning of spring" marks the advent of spring and the revival of all things; "Lixia" means the beginning of summer, and crops enter the stage of rapid growth; "Beginning of autumn" is the beginning of autumn, and the harvest season is coming; "Beginning of winter" marks the advent of winter and the recuperation of all things. Behind these nicknames, there is a deep understanding and respect for the laws of nature by the ancients.
So, what is the science behind the 24 solar terms? First of all, the 24 solar terms are closely related to the revolution and rotation of the earth. The time it takes for the Earth to make one revolution around the Sun is about 3652422 days, while the time of one rotation of the Earth is 24 hours. Therefore, the ancients divided the year into 24 solar terms, each of which was about 1525 days. In this way, the 24 solar terms better reflect the laws of the earth's revolution and rotation.
Secondly, the 24 solar terms are closely related to China's geographical location and climatic characteristics. China is located in East Asia, with a vast territory and diverse climates. The establishment of the 24 solar terms enables people to reasonably arrange agricultural activities according to the climatic characteristics of different regions to ensure the smooth progress of agricultural production.
Finally, the 24 solar terms embody the philosophical idea of the ancients of "the unity of heaven and man". The ancients believed that human society and the natural world are a unified whole, and people should conform to and adapt to nature in order to achieve the harmonious coexistence of man and nature. The 24 solar terms are the embodiment of this philosophical idea, which tells people how to arrange production and life according to the climate change in nature.
1. Beginning of Spring: the first of the year, the beginning of spring, the beginning of the Spring Festival, and the New Year's Festival.
The beginning of spring, also known as the beginning of the year, the beginning of spring, the beginning of the spring festival, and the first lunar month, is the first solar term of the 24 solar terms, marking the arrival of spring.
2. Rain: in the middle of the first month.
Rain, also known as the middle of the first lunar month, is the second of the 24 solar terms, when the temperature gradually rises, the snow melts, and the rain increases.
3. Sting: early March.
The sting, also known as the beginning of March, is the third solar term of the 24 solar terms, marking the sound of spring thunder and the revival of all things.
4. Vernal equinox: the month of mid-spring.
The vernal equinox, also known as the moon of mid-spring, is the fourth solar term of the 24 solar terms, when the day and night are equally divided, and the spring flowers are blooming.
5. Qingming: mid-March.
Qingming, also known as the middle of March, is the fifth solar term of the 24 solar terms, when the climate is pleasant and the vegetation is luxuriant.
6. Gu Yu: mid-April.
Guyu, also known as mid-April, is the sixth of the 24 solar terms, when precipitation increases, which is conducive to the growth of cereal crops.
7. Beginning of summer: the end of April.
The beginning of summer, also known as the end of April, is the seventh of the 24 solar terms, marking the beginning of summer.
8. Xiaoman: mid-May.
Xiaoman, also known as mid-May, is the eighth of the 24 solar terms, when the wheat crops are full of grains but not ripe.
9. Summer solstice: early June.
The summer solstice, also known as the beginning of June, is the ninth of the 24 solar terms, when the sun shines directly on the Tropic of Cancer, and the days are long and the nights are short.
10. Xiaoxia: early July.
Xiaoxiao, also known as the beginning of July, is the tenth of the 24 solar terms, when the weather is hot, but not yet at its hottest.
Ten. 1. Heat: mid-July.
The Great Heat, also known as the middle of July, is the eleventh of the 24 solar terms, which is in the middle of summer and the temperature is the highest.
Ten. 2. Beginning of autumn: early August.
The beginning of autumn, also known as the beginning of August, is the twelfth of the 24 solar terms, marking the beginning of autumn.
Ten. 3. White Dew: August Festival.
White dew, also known as the August Festival, is the thirteenth of the 24 solar terms, when the temperature gradually drops and the dew increases in the morning and evening.
Ten. 4. Autumn equinox: mid-August.
The autumn equinox, also known as the middle of August, is the fourteenth solar term of the 24 solar terms.
Ten. 5. Cold dew: September Festival.
Cold dew, also known as the September Festival, is the fifteenth of the 24 solar terms, when the temperature drops further and the dew becomes colder.
Ten. 6. Frost fall: mid-September.
Frost fall, also known as mid-September, is the sixteenth of the 24 solar terms, when the ground temperature drops to around 0 and frost begins.
Ten. 7. Beginning of winter: October Festival.
The beginning of winter, also known as the October Festival, is the seventeenth of the 24 solar terms, marking the beginning of winter.
Ten. 8. Light snow: mid-October.
Light snow, also known as mid-October, is the eighteenth of the 24 solar terms, when the temperature drops and snow begins.
Ten. 9. Heavy snow: November Festival.
Heavy snowfall, also known as the November Festival, is the nineteenth of the 24 solar terms, when temperatures are lower and snowfall increases.
Two. 10. Winter solstice: mid-November.
The winter solstice, also known as the middle of November, is the twentieth solar term of the 24 solar terms, when the sun shines directly on the Tropic of Capricorn, and the days are short and the nights are long.
Two. Ten. 1. Xiaohan: December Festival.
Xiaohan, also known as the December Festival, is the twenty-first solar term of the 24 solar terms, when the temperature is extremely low and extremely cold.
Two. Ten. 2. The Great Cold: Mid-December.
The Great Cold, also known as the middle of December, is the twenty-second solar term of the 24 solar terms, when the temperature reaches its lowest and it is extremely cold.
Two. Ten. 3. Mengxia: early April.
Mengxia, also known as the beginning of April, is the first solar term of summer, when the temperature gradually rises and the hot summer comes.
Two. Ten. 4. Midsummer: early May.
Midsummer, also known as early May, is the second solar term of summer, when temperatures continue to rise and the sun shines fiercely.
Two. Ten. 5. Summer: early June.
Summer, also known as the beginning of June, is the third solar term of summer, when the temperature peaks and there is more rain.
Two. Ten. 6. Meng Qiu: early July.
Mengqiu, also known as the beginning of July, is the first solar term of autumn, when the temperature gradually drops and the autumn is high and cool.
Two. Ten. 7. Mid-autumn: early August.
Mid-autumn, also known as early August, is the second solar term of autumn, when the climate is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful.
Two. Ten. 8. Autumn: early September.
Autumn, also known as the beginning of September, is the third solar term of autumn, when the temperature continues to drop and autumn is getting stronger.
Two. Ten. 9. Mengdong: early October.
Mengdong, also known as the beginning of October, is the first solar term of winter