The 24 Solar Terms and Seasonal Living

The 24 solar terms are a traditional Chinese knowledge system that divides the year by the sun’s annual motion, guiding farming and daily life. Living with the terms means aligning rest, food and mood with the season — a quiet, practical wisdom.

What the solar terms are

From Beginning of Spring to Major Cold, the year is divided into twenty-four terms reflecting phenology and climate. The system is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The idea of seasonal living

Tradition suggests adjusting routine and diet with the terms: stretch and rise with spring, stay calm through summer, moisten and gather in autumn, keep warm and store in winter — regular rest and seasonal food above all.

Using them in daily life

Keep it simple: sleep a little earlier as the season turns, eat what is in season, take a walk in the sun. Lingxi Taiji Journal offers gentle seasonal tips for the current term.

FAQ

Is solar-term wellness scientific?

Seasonal living is a summary of traditional lifestyle experience. Lingxi Taiji Journal only offers general tips like regular rest and seasonal food — it gives no medical diagnosis or treatment advice; consult a doctor if you feel unwell.

Which solar term is it now?

Open the wellness observation feature in Lingxi Taiji Journal to see the current term with matching routine and diet tips.

Are solar terms the same as the lunar calendar?

No. The terms follow the sun (a solar measure), while the lunar calendar follows the moon — though they are often used together in the traditional calendar.