1. Origin: Solar terms are the product of ancient farming civilization. They were originally formulated based on the changing of the stars. The ancients guided agricultural production according to the direction of the Big Dipper in the night sky. During the period of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, the "Twenty-Four Solar Terms" were incorporated into the "Taichu Calendar" as a supplement to the calendar to guide farming, and the Guibian photometry method was used to determine the solar terms in the Yellow River Basin.
2. Meaning: Solar terms are specific festivals in the Ganzhi calendar that represent changes in natural rhythms and establish the "Twelve Months" (monthly orders). The twenty-four solar terms are: Beginning of Spring, Rain, Waking of Insects, Vernal Equinox, Qingming, Grain Rain, Beginning of Summer, Xiaoman, Ear Grain, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat, Great Heat, Beginning of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew, Autumn Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost Descent, Beginning of Winter, Light Snow, Heavy Snow, and Winter Solstice , Xiaohan, Dahan.
The value of the twenty-four solar terms
The twenty-four solar terms have the meaning of time markers and reminders of seasonal changes. The labeling and use of the twenty-four solar terms means that China retains its own characteristics and elements while keeping in line with the rhythm of the world.
Not only that, the names of the twenty-four solar terms themselves relate the flow of time to changes in climate and phenology. 8 of them reflect seasonal changes (i.e., 2 points, 2 Solstices and 4 Lis); 5 Reflects temperature changes (i.e. minor heat, major heat, extreme heat, minor cold, major cold).
Seven reflect changes in precipitation (i.e. rain, grain rain, white dew, cold dew, frost, light snow, heavy snow), and four reflect changes in phenology (i.e. Jingzhe, Qingming, Xiaoman, Eawn), so they have distinct The reminder of seasonal changes is a feature and advantage that the Gregorian calendar does not have.
Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-The origin of the twenty-four solar terms