Before Qin (221-206 BC) and Han Dynasty (206BC - 24AD), Chinese people observed the movement of stars to know what season it was. In Qin and Han Dynasty, people living in areas near Huanghe River divided the year into several terms according to the movement of the sun, and then farmers began to rely on these terms to plan their planting and harvest. And these terms are named solar terms (Jie Qi).

These terms do not form any pattern in the Chinese calendar, which is lunar based. Before the Gregorian calendar was introduced to China, these terms are published each year in farmers' almanac.

The solar terms are all related to sun, season, weather and grain growing, and have been giving much guidance to Chinese farmers for thousands of years.

The solar terms are closed related to sun, season, temperature, rain and plant and animal phenology.

The terms 'the Beginning of Spring/Summer/Autumn/Winter' mark changes of seasons.

The terms 'the Spring/Autumn Equinox' and 'the Summer/Winter Solstice' record the movement of the sun.

The terms 'Slight Heat', 'Great Heat', 'End of Heat', 'Lesser Cold' and 'Greater Cold' represents the days with the annual highest and lowest temperature.

'White Dew', 'Cold Dew', 'Frost Drop' tells the water's form changing, which reflect the changes of temperature.

The terms 'Rain Water', 'Grain Rain', 'Slight Snow', 'Heavy Snow' is about the weather during that period.

The terms 'Awakening of Insects', 'Clear and Bright', 'Grain Full', 'Grain in Beard' tells the growth of grain and other phenology.

Editor: Catherine

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