24 Solar Terms Explained
The year is divided into 24 Solar Terms — astronomical anchors tied to the sun’s longitude. These terms shape BaZi calculation, year boundaries, farming, and Feng Shui directions.
Seasonal Flow
BaZi Anchor
Feng Shui Compass
What Are the 24 Solar Terms?
The 24 Solar Terms divide the year into 15° increments of the sun’s longitude. Each term signals a shift in season, climate, and energy flow. They originated in agriculture but remain central in BaZi and Feng Shui.
Key point: Each lunar month begins with a solar term, making them the true anchors of the Chinese calendar.
Solar Terms Table
| Solar Term | Chinese | Sun Degree | Earthly Branch | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start of Spring | 立春 (Li Chun) | 315° | 寅 (Yin) | NE (Tiger) |
| Rain Water | 雨水 (Yu Shui) | 330° | 寅 (Yin) | NE |
| Awakening of Insects | 驚蟄 (Jing Zhe) | 345° | 卯 (Mao) | E (Rabbit) |
| Spring Equinox | 春分 (Chun Fen) | 0° | 卯 (Mao) | E |
| Pure Brightness | 清明 (Qing Ming) | 15° | 辰 (Chen) | SE (Dragon) |
| Grain Rain | 谷雨 (Gu Yu) | 30° | 辰 (Chen) | SE |
| Start of Summer | 立夏 (Li Xia) | 45° | 巳 (Si) | SE (Snake) |
| Grain Full | 小滿 (Xiao Man) | 60° | 巳 (Si) | SE |
| Grain in Ear | 芒種 (Mang Zhong) | 75° | 午 (Wu) | S (Horse) |
| Summer Solstice | 夏至 (Xia Zhi) | 90° | 午 (Wu) | S |
| Slight Heat | 小暑 (Xiao Shu) | 105° | 未 (Wei) | SW (Goat) |
| Great Heat | 大暑 (Da Shu) | 120° | 未 (Wei) | SW |
| Start of Autumn | 立秋 (Li Qiu) | 135° | 申 (Shen) | SW (Monkey) |
| Limit of Heat | 處暑 (Chu Shu) | 150° | 申 (Shen) | SW |
| White Dew | 白露 (Bai Lu) | 165° | 酉 (You) | W (Rooster) |
| Autumn Equinox | 秋分 (Qiu Fen) | 180° | 酉 (You) | W |
| Cold Dew | 寒露 (Han Lu) | 195° | 戌 (Xu) | NW (Dog) |
| Frost Descent | 霜降 (Shuang Jiang) | 210° | 戌 (Xu) | NW |
| Start of Winter | 立冬 (Li Dong) | 225° | 亥 (Hai) | NW (Pig) |
| Minor Snow | 小雪 (Xiao Xue) | 240° | 亥 (Hai) | NW |
| Major Snow | 大雪 (Da Xue) | 255° | 子 (Zi) | N (Rat) |
| Winter Solstice | 冬至 (Dong Zhi) | 270° | 子 (Zi) | N |
| Minor Cold | 小寒 (Xiao Han) | 285° | 丑 (Chou) | NE (Ox) |
| Major Cold | 大寒 (Da Han) | 300° | 丑 (Chou) | NE |
Why Solar Terms Matter
- BaZi: Defines year and month pillars. Without solar terms, charts drift off-season.
- Feng Shui: Compass school aligns directions with seasonal qi.
- Agriculture: Ancient farmers planted and harvested by these markers.
See also Li Chun (Beginning of Spring), the most critical of all terms.
