Gifs of 24 Solar Terms Amaze Netizens

Shi Changhong, a designer from southern China's Guizhou Province, recently became an Internet star.

He and his team spent a year creating gifs of China's 24 solar terms, which amazed the Internet. Chinese netizens have praised his work, remarking that people could learn a lot about China just by looking through these pictures.

The ancient Chinese divided the sun's annual motion into 24 segments, calling each segment a specific "solar term."

The criteria for its formulation were developed through the observation of seasonal changes and other natural phenomena. The terms remain of particular importance to farmers. Some rituals and festivities are associated with the terms, contributing to communities’ cultural identities.

Take a look at his creative designs below:

Lichun 立春

Lichun, or Spring Begins, is the first solar term, occurring in early February. It marks the start of change, with temperatures rising and days getting longer.

Yushui 雨水

Yushui, or Rain Water, is the second of the 24 solar terms used in Chinese tradition. As its name implies, this term bodes for an increase in rain starting around late February.

Jingzhe 惊蛰

As thunder rumbles and temperatures rise, the solar term known as Jingzhe, or Awakening of Insects, marks the awakening of all creatures after their winter slumber, occurring in early March.

Chunfen 春分

Chunfen, or Vernal Equinox, heralds the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere when the days are longer and nights shorter. It usually occurs between March 20 and March 22.

Qingming 清明

Qingming, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, falls early April, when Chinese people commemorate their deceased loved ones by visiting tombs and offering sacrifices. It is marked by frequent rain, especially in south China. It is also the time to enjoy green tea.

Guyu 谷雨

Guyu, or literally "Rain of Millet," is the sixth of the 24 solar terms created by the ancient Chinese. The term is traditionally a time of tribute to Cangjie — a mythical figure who is credited with having invented Chinese characters about 5,000 years ago.

Lixia 立夏

Lixia, is a Chinese solar term referring to the beginning of summer. The term, which occurs between May 5 and 7, heralds the arrival of summer when hot weather becomes the norm.

Xiaoman 小满

Solar term Xiaoman — literally "grain buds" — falls between May 20 and 22 and traditionally heralds hot, humid days to ripen crops.

Mangzhong 芒种

Mangzhong, or Bristles on Grain, occurring in early June, indicates that some grains are mature as awns (bristles) form at the end of the stalk. Frequent rainfall is seen during this period.

Xiazhi 夏至

Xiazhi, or Summer Solstice, which indicates the arrival of the plum rain season, usually occurs between June 20 and 22.

Xiaoshu 小暑

Xiaoshu, or Slight Heat, usually indicates the hottest part of the summer is imminent. It is often around July 6 to 8.

Dashu 大暑

Solar term Dashu, or Great Heat, indicates entry into summer's hottest period. It usually occurs between July 22 and 24.

Liqiu 立秋

Liqiu, which usually occurs between August 7 and 9, indicates the start of autumn.

Chushu 处暑

Chushu, or End of Heat, occurs between August 22 and 24, the date from which the heat is believed to start dying down.

Bailu 白露

Bailu, or White Dew, which falls between September 7 and 9, indicates that temperatures are falling at night.

Qiufen 秋分

Qiufen, or Autumnal Equinox, signifies that day and night will be of equal length in the middle of autumn. It usually occurs between September 22 and 24.

Hanlu 寒露

Hanlu, or Cold Dew, is an indication for oncoming chill. It's often around October 7 to 9.

Shuangjiang 霜降

Shuangjiang, or Frost Descends, means it's getting cold enough for frost, which falls between October 22 and 24.

Lidong 立冬

Lidong is the 19th of 24 solar terms and marks the beginning of winter according to the Chinese lunar calendar. It's often around November 6 to 8.

Xiaoxue 小雪

Xiaoxue, or Light Snow, which falls around November 22 to 23, indicating the snow season has begun.

Daxue 大雪

Daxue, or Major Snow, is when the snow gets heavy. It's often around December 6 to 8.

Dongzhi 冬至

Dongzhi, or Winter Solstice, is a time when Chinese people pay their respects to the departed by visiting the cemetery and sweeping their tombs. It can fall at any time between December 21 and 23.

Xiaohan 小寒

Xiaohan, or Minor Cold, is when it starts getting cold. It usually falls around January 5 to 7.

Dahan 大寒

Dahan, or Great Cold, is the beginning of the coldest period, which falls between January 19 and 21.

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Gifs of 24 Solar Terms Amaze Netizens

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