Twenty-Four Solar Terms
The Twenty-Four Solar Terms were developed in ancient China based on the observation of astronomical phenomena and the understanding of the changes in seasons, climate, and phenology, to meet the needs of agricultural production. They form an important part of the Chinese lunar calendar.
The ancient Chinese divided a solar year into four seasons, each with three months and each month with two solar terms. The Twenty-Four Solar Terms are: Start of Spring, Rain Water, Awakening of Insects, Vernal Equinox, Clear and Bright, Grain Rain, Start of Summer, Grain Full, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat, Major Heat, Start of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew, Autumnal Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost Descent, Start of Winter, Minor Snow, Major Snow, Winter Solstice, Minor Cold, and Major Cold.
The solar terms accurately reflect the changes in nature and played a crucial role in ancient China's agricultural society. Included in the calendar as early as the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - A.D. 25), they guided agricultural production and gradually became infused in folk traditions. They constitute an important part of Chinese culture.
The Twenty-Four Solar Terms spread to countries such as Korea, Japan, and Vietnam in ancient times, and had a positive influence on their agriculture and cultural development. The international meteorological community recognizes the scientific accuracy of the solar terms. In 2016, they were included on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
二十四节气
二十四节气是中国古人根据农业生产的需要，通过观察天体运行，认知一年中时令、气候、物候等变化规律所形成的知识体系，是中国农历的重要组成部分。
中国古人将一个太阳回归年分为春、夏、秋、冬四季，每季三个月，每月各两个节气。二十四节气分别为：立春、雨水、惊蛰、春分、清明、谷雨，立夏、小满、芒种、夏至、小暑、大暑，立秋、处暑、白露、秋分、寒露、霜降， 立冬、小雪、大雪、冬至、小寒、大寒。
二十四节气准确反映了自然节律变化，在古代农耕社会发挥了极为重要的作用。其早在西汉时期就已被纳入历法， 用于指导农业生产，并逐渐演化为包含丰富民俗文化含义的文化体系，成为中华文化的重要组成部分。
在古代，二十四节气传播到朝鲜、日本、越南等国家，对当地农耕生产和社会文化发展产生了积极影响。二十四节气因其科学性和准确性，受到国际气象界的认可与推崇。
2016年，“二十四节气”列入联合国教科文组织人类非物质文化遗产代表作名录。
