The 24 Solar Terms
Traditional Seasonal Living
The traditional Chinese calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms (节气, *Jiéqì*). Developed by ancient farmers and physicians, this calendar tracks the sun's longitude to reflect environmental changes and biological cycles. Each term represents a unique shift in the Earth's Yin and Yang, providing an actionable guide for food, drink, and lifestyle choices.
Spring (春)
Yang rising, expansion, liver & gallbladder focus.
February 3–5
Beginning of Spring
立春 Lì Chūn
Organ Focus: liver, gallbladder
Align your Qi →
February 18–20
Rain Water
雨水 Yǔ Shuǐ
Organ Focus: spleen, stomach
Align your Qi →
March 5–7
Awakening of Insects
惊蛰 Jīng Zhé
Organ Focus: liver, gallbladder
Align your Qi →
March 20–22
Spring Equinox
春分 Chūn Fēn
Organ Focus: liver, gallbladder
Align your Qi →
April 4–6
Pure Brightness
清明 Qīng Míng
Organ Focus: lung, liver
Align your Qi →
April 19–21
Grain Rain
谷雨 Gǔ Yǔ
Organ Focus: spleen, stomach
Align your Qi →
Summer (夏)
Yang at peak, activity, heart & small intestine focus.
May 5–7
Beginning of Summer
立夏 Lì Xià
Organ Focus: heart, small intestine
Align your Qi →
May 20–22
Grain Buds
小满 Xiǎo Mǎn
Organ Focus: spleen, stomach
Align your Qi →
June 5–7
Grain in Ear
芒种 Máng Zhòng
Organ Focus: kidney, bladder
Align your Qi →
June 20–22
Summer Solstice
夏至 Xià Zhì
Organ Focus: heart, small intestine
Align your Qi →
July 6–8
Minor Heat
小暑 Xiǎo Shǔ
Organ Focus: spleen, stomach
Align your Qi →
July 22–24
Major Heat
大暑 Dà Shǔ
Organ Focus: spleen, stomach
Align your Qi →
Autumn (秋)
Yin rising, contraction, lung & large intestine focus.
August 7–9
Beginning of Autumn
立秋 Lì Qiū
Organ Focus: lung, large intestine
Align your Qi →
August 22–24
End of Heat
处暑 Chù Shǔ
Organ Focus: spleen, stomach
Align your Qi →
September 7–9
White Dew
白露 Bái Lù
Organ Focus: lung, large intestine
Align your Qi →
September 22–24
Autumn Equinox
秋分 Qiū Fēn
Organ Focus: lung, large intestine
Align your Qi →
October 8–9
Cold Dew
寒露 Hán Lù
Organ Focus: spleen, stomach
Align your Qi →
October 23–24
Frost Descends
霜降 Shuāng Jiàng
Organ Focus: lung, large intestine
Align your Qi →
Winter (冬)
Yin at peak, storage, kidney & bladder focus.
November 7–8
Beginning of Winter
立冬 Lì Dōng
Organ Focus: kidney, bladder
Align your Qi →
November 22–23
Minor Snow
小雪 Xiǎo Xuě
Organ Focus: kidney, bladder
Align your Qi →
December 6–8
Major Snow
大雪 Dà Xuě
Organ Focus: kidney, bladder
Align your Qi →
December 21–23
Winter Solstice
冬至 Dōng Zhì
Organ Focus: kidney, bladder
Align your Qi →
January 5–7
Minor Cold
小寒 Xiǎo Hán
Organ Focus: spleen, stomach
Align your Qi →
January 20–21
Major Cold
大寒 Dà Hán
Organ Focus: spleen, stomach
Align your Qi →