The traditional Chinese calendar is continuously used by the Chinese people till this very day.
Even though the Chinese adopted the Gregorian Calendar used by many countries, they still keep using the Lunar calendar which follows the 24 Solar Terms.
The Solar terms is a calendar of 24 periods and climate to govern the agricultural arrangement in ancient China and function even today.
The Lunar New year starts with on the 1st day of spring, January 30, 2014 this year. It is the most important feast of the year.
To better understand how it is celebrated, think of Christmas and the New Year. The firecrackers, new
clothes, gifts, food and fun! Just as one celebrates Christmas and New Year of the Gregorian calendar.
The 24 Solar Terms
Start of spring: Spring arrives, as does a
new life
Rain Water: Peach trees blossom as the snow
melts away; continuous rain indicates a plentiful year
Awakening of insects: The thunder claps of
spring awaken insects from their winter slumber while the rain dyes the earth
green once again
Vernal equinox: Day and night become
equally long just as the buds sprout while the swallows dance in the air
Clear and bright: A light drizzle comes down
from the bright sky and dances with willow trees
Grain rain: The abundance of rain quenches
the thirst of the grain and fills the land with the essence of spring
Start of summer: During summer, heaven and
earth are in unison, all creatures are in motion
Grain full: During the monsoon season wheat
grains are graceful, plump and strong
Grain in ear: Harvesting season arrives as
the rice grains ripen, flock of egrets fly in the air to remind everyone to
start harvesting!
Summer solstice: The longest day of the
year brings with it a summer breeze blowing at workers busy picking ripe fruits
in the orchards
Minor heat: Cicadas sing in the heat while
the essence of mango in the summer breeze makes me feel cooler
Major heat: The extreme heat and unpredictable
rainstorms make it impossible to work; one can only hope the harvest to come
will be a plentiful one
Start of autumn: Autumn arrives covering
the summer sky with clouds and the ground with leaves
Limit of heat: Explore the country side to
take in the wonders of autumn; the golden fields are ready for the harvest
season
White dew: The full moon shines upon leaves
covered in autumn dew, they glisten in the moon light as white as silver
Autumnal equinox: At the height of autumn
fresh air carries the fragrance of osmanthus flowers while day and night are
equal again
Cold dew: The cold dew in the air makes the
temperatures fall but wild geese rise to the skies
Frost descent: During the late autumn season,
maple leaves are crimson red, hibiscus flowers are in full bloom
Start of winter: Grains mature with the
start of winter, the fields become empty as the corn is harvested
Minor snow: The wind makes waves in the
ocean of silver grass while the snow tells us that the time to collect Roselle
flowers has come
Great snow: Snowflakes drift in the heavy winter wind whose
chill penetrates all things, except for the greenhouse.
Winter solstice: The shortest day of the
year brings the family together to eat delicious food
Minor cold: Days are getting colder but the
coldest days are yet to come
Major cold: The extreme cold indicates the
end of the year; the time has come to say farewell to winter and welcome spring.
