Are you looking to add more balance and harmony to your life? Then the Chinese Calendar System can provide just that! This calendaring system has been used in China for thousands of years, with the goal of living in harmony with nature and its seasonal changes.
The Chinese Calendar System is a luni-solar calendar, meaning it takes into account both the movements of the moon (lunar) and the sun (solar). Therefore the Chinese Calendar actually consists of two distinct calendars:
- The Lunar Calendar, and
- The Solar Calendar (AKA the ’24 Solar Terms’)
In this blog post, we will be taking a look at what is the ’24 Solar Terms’ and how they work, as well as discussing why it’s important to understand them if you want to live a truly healthy lifestyle. So put aside some time for yourself today – let’s dive into the fascinating world of Chinese calendaring!
Introduction
The 24 Solar Terms divide the year into 24 equal parts, each lasting about 15 days, and are determined by the sun’s position in the zodiac.
These terms not only reflect the changing seasons and weather patterns, but also play a significant role in traditional Chinese culture and agriculture.
It has a 12-year cycle, with each year being named after one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Below is a table of the names and date ranges of the solar terms for this year.
| Solar Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning of Spring | February 4, 2023 | February 18, 2023 |
| Rain Water | February 19, 2023 | March 5, 2023 |
| Insects Awakening | March 6, 2023 | March 20, 2023 |
| Spring Equinox | March 21, 2023 | April 4, 2023 |
| Pure Brightness | April 5, 2023 | April 19, 2023 |
| Grain Rain | April 20, 2023 | May 5, 2023 |
| Beginning of Summer | May 6, 2023 | May 20, 2023 |
| Lesser Fullness | May 21, 2023 | June 5, 2023 |
| Grain in Ear | June 6, 2023 | June 20, 2023 |
| Summer Solstice | June 21, 2023 | July 6, 2023 |
| Lesser Heat | July 7, 2023 | July 22, 2023 |
| Greater Heat | July 23, 2023 | August 7, 2023 |
| Beginning of Autumn | August 8, 2023 | August 22, 2023 |
| End of Heat | August 23, 2023 | September 7, 2023 |
| White Dew | September 8, 2023 | September 22, 2023 |
| Autumnal Equinox | September 23, 2023 | October 7, 2023 |
| Cold Dew | October 8, 2023 | October 23, 2023 |
| Frost Descent | October 24, 2023 | November 7, 2023 |
| Beginning of Winter | November 8, 2023 | November 21, 2023 |
| Light Snow | November 22, 2023 | December 6, 2023 |
| Greater Snow | December 7, 2023 | December 21, 2023 |
| Winter Solstice | December 22, 2023 | January 5, 2024 |
| Lesser Cold | January 6, 2024 | January 19, 2024 |
| Greater Cold | January 20, 2024 | February 3, 2024 |
Each solar term has its own significance, bringing with it specific weather patterns, traditional customs, and cultural events.
For example, “Beginning of Spring” marks the beginning of the planting season, while “Rain Water” signals the time for farmers to start irrigating their crops. “Greater Heat” signals the height of summer, and “Frost Descent” marks the arrival of autumn and the time for harvesting crops.
Understanding the 24 Solar Terms not only provides guidance to agricultural activities, but also offers importance guidance for health.
24 Solar Terms and Health
The 24 Solar Terms have a profound impact on a person’s health. The changing seasons and weather patterns associated with each solar term can affect the body in different ways.
In different solar terms, different lifestyle practices are recommended to help maintain balance and prevent illness.
For example, during the “Great Heat” solar term, when temperatures are at their highest, it is recommended to stay hydrated, protect against heatstroke, and eat cooling foods like watermelon and cucumber. During the “Greater Cold” solar term, when temperatures are at their lowest, it is advised to keep warm, avoid cold foods, and consume warming foods like ginger and garlic to boost the immune system.
In conclusion, the 24 Solar Terms provide a unique and practical way to understand the relationship between the changing seasons and our health, and can offer valuable insights into how to maintain balance and prevent illness. Whether you are a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine or simply interested in the connection between the natural world and our health, understanding the 24 Solar Terms is an essential step in taking care of your well-being.
Health Tips for different Solar Term Periods
For Health Tips for “Beginning of Spring”, from February 4 to 18, 2023. Please click HERE for more information.