What does each Solar Term imply?

The 24 solar divisions begin with the "Start of Spring", which is followed in turn by "Rain Water", when preparations for planting are made; "Excited Insects" means a time of spring thunder and the stirring of new life; the Spring Equinox; "Clear and Bright" is marked by the howling of southeasterly winds; and "Grain Rains", reminds the farmers that the seasonal downpours are beginning. The summer divisions begin with "Start of Summer"; "Grain Fills", when the grain swells on the stalks; "Grain in Ear", marking the time of harvest; the Summer Solstice; and "Slight Heat" and "Great Heat", when the warmth of summer becomes increasingly more oppressive.

The "Start of Autumn" follows the summer divisions, the day on which the temperature begins to cool; "White Dew" is when the moisture congeals to frost; the Autumnal Equinox, is the true start of the fall season; and followed with "Cold Dew" and " Frost Descends", the weather turns cold as winter nears. The "Start of Winter" is followed by "Light Snow" and "Heavy Snow", which mean the beginning of deep winter. The next division in the year, Winter Solstice, is a day of deep significance, celebrated in Taiwan by eating a kind of sweet dumpling soup called Tangyuan to fortify the body in preparation for the biting frost of "Little Cold" and "Severe Cold".

What does each Solar Term imply?

Spring Festival, which is also Chinese New Year, is the first solar term. This festival is the grandest and most magnificent festival in Chinese folk tradition standing for a fresh start and new hope. During past dynasties, all Chinese people, both upper and lower class regarded the spring festival as a good day for happy events and reunions. When paying visits to relatives and friends during the spring festival, many people prepare a small gift for their family members and friends.

Chinese people usually send food which contains the meaning of luck, which on this day is dumplings, which is often their favorite choice.

What are the customs of Pure Brightness?

Pure Brightness, or the Tomb-sweeping Festival as it is also known as, is half a month later than the vernal equinox of the lunar calendar of every year, generally April 5th or 6th of the Gregorian calendar. The Tomb-sweeping Festival is the day for people to sweep tombs and burn incense to honor the memory of their ancestors. The Chinese people will offer flowers to the tombs, and get rid of weeds and plant trees around the tombs as a memorial to the dead.

Many poets have written works on the theme of that day. A day or two before Pure Brightness is also called 'Cold Food Festival, as on this day cooking is forbidden and all are allowed to eat only cold food, for fear of being chastised by the immortals in heaven.

What are the other customs relating to the solar terms in winter?

The Winter Solstice indicates the winter period where people strive to keep themselves warm. The weather in Northern China is bitterly cold, and people often lack sufficient warm clothing. Eating hot food is often a way that Northern Chinese people stay warm through the winter. Gradually there became a saying that only by eating dumplings can you avoid becoming so frozen that your ears drop off , thus this custom is still widespread that ?Chinese people eat steaming hot and delicious dumplings on The Winter Solstice.

in the third and fourth Jiu we walk on the ice; in the fifth and sixth Jiu we see the light green willow; in the seventh Jiu our river thaws and in the eighth swallows come; and lastly, in the ninth section, cattle begin to work.