The 24 Solar Terms

The first solar term, marking the start of spring—the day to open the year's fortune.

Snow turns to rain and ice melts. "By Usu and Gyeongchip, even the frozen rivers thaw."

Hibernating frogs awaken. The true start of spring, as all life stretches awake.

Day and night are equal. From now the days grow longer—full spring arrives.

The sky turns clear and bright. Overlapping with Hansik, a day for tomb-visits and farming.

Spring rain nourishes the grain. Seedbeds are made and farming begins in earnest.

Summer begins. Greenery deepens and the sound of frogs starts up.

Abundant sunlight fills all things little by little. Barley ripens and transplanting peaks.

Bearded grains are reaped and rice is planted. "Cut the barley, plant the rice"—the busiest season.

The longest day. The sun rides highest, heading into the heart of summer.

The "lesser heat" begins. With the monsoon, full midsummer heat sets in.

The "greater heat"—the hottest term of the year. The dog-days heat peaks.

Autumn begins. Even amid the heat, a cool air starts to settle in.

The heat retreats. "After Cheoseo, even a mosquito's mouth goes crooked."

White dew forms. Night temperatures fall and full autumn sets in.

Day and night grow equal in autumn. From now, the nights lengthen.

Cold dew forms. Foliage deepens and the harvest finishes—deep autumn.

Frost begins to fall. The last of autumn, when winter preparations begin.

Winter begins. The season to make kimchi and prepare for the cold.

The first snow falls. The "Soseol cold" bites with sharp winds.

Heavy snow falls. Winter deepens as the year winds down.

The longest night. The day for red-bean porridge, long seen as a "little New Year."

Named "lesser cold," yet truly the coldest term. "The Sohan cold comes even on loan."

The "greater cold," the last solar term. The end of winter, just before spring (Ipchun).