24 Solar Terms
Many people equate China with the lunar calendar, but the sun has also played a pivotal role in how the Chinese view life cycles. The ancient Chinese developed what is known as the 24 solar terms, which prescribed how people lived and worked, especially in rural areas. The solar terms originated in the 16th and 11th centuries BC and were perfected in their present form during the Western Han Dynasty (206-220 BC). In November 2016, their significance was recognized by inclusion in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This series explores each of the 24 solar terms.
