The 24 solar terms in the lunar calendar
The 24 solar terms originated in the Yellow River Basin. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, ancient Chinese sages set the four solar terms of mid-spring, mid-summer, mid-autumn and mid-winter. After continuous improvement and perfection, the 24 solar terms were fully established during the Qin and Han Dynasties. In 104 BC, the Taichu Calendar formulated by Deng Ping et al. officially set the 24 solar terms in the calendar and clarified the astronomical positions of the 24 solar terms. The 24 solar terms are a cultural heritage created by the working people of my country. They can reflect the changes of seasons, guide agricultural activities, and affect the food, clothing, housing and transportation of thousands of households. The time that the sun travels 15 degrees along the Yellow Longitude from zero degrees of the Yellow Longitude is called "a solar term". It runs 360 degrees every year, and experiences a total of 24 solar terms, 2 per month. Among them, the first solar term of each month is the "solar term", which are: Beginning of Spring, Waking of Insects, Tomb-Sweeping Day, Beginning of Summer, Grain in Ear, Minor Heat, Beginning of Autumn, White Dew, Cold Dew, Beginning of Winter, Heavy Snow and Minor Cold; the second solar term of each month is the "middle solar term", which are: Rain Water, Spring Equinox, Grain Rain, Grain Full, Summer Solstice, Great Heat, End of Heat, Autumn Equinox, Frost Descent, Light Snow, Winter Solstice and Great Cold. "Solar terms" and "middle solar terms" appear alternately, each lasting 15 days. Now people have collectively referred to "solar terms" and "middle solar terms" as "solar terms". The 24 solar terms reflect the annual apparent motion of the sun, so their dates are basically fixed in the current Gregorian calendar, on the 6th and 21st in the first half of the year, and on the 8th and 23rd in the second half of the year, with a difference of 1 to 2 days. The 24 solar terms are widely accepted by the Chinese public, and the influence of the 24 solar terms can be seen everywhere in daily life. Some solar terms are combined with folk culture and have become fixed festivals for people. The most famous Qingming, Beginning of Spring, Beginning of Summer, and Winter Solstice are all integrated into the atmosphere of festivals. Summer Solstice and Summer Heat are also closely linked to daily life, so that there are sayings among the people: "Dumplings on Winter Solstice, Noodles on Summer Solstice", "Dumplings on the First Day of Summer, Noodles on the Second Day of Summer, Pancakes and Eggs on the Third Day of Summer", and "Training in Winter for 39 Days and Training in Summer for 3 Days". These festivals are often accompanied by colorful folk activities. The 24 solar terms are a very rich intangible cultural heritage, including relevant proverbs, ballads, legends, traditional production tools, living utensils, handicrafts, calligraphy and painting and other works of art, as well as festival culture, production rituals and folk customs closely related to the festivals. The 24 solar terms are the concrete manifestation of ancient Chinese agricultural civilization and have a high research value of agricultural history and culture. (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)