Which four solar terms does the Spring Rain Awakens Spring refer to? Why is there no Daman in the 24 solar terms?

The solar terms are specific solar terms in the Ganzhi calendar that indicate the changes in natural rhythms and establish the "Twelve Months" (Monthly Order). The Beginning of Spring is the first of the 24 solar terms. Li means "beginning". Spring represents warmth and growth. Why is there no Daman in the 24 solar terms? Do you know?

Contents of this article

1. Which four solar terms does the Spring Rain Awakens Spring refer to?

2. Why is there no Daman in the 24 solar terms?

3. What does the 24th solar term Xiaoman mean?

4. Origin of the 24 solar terms

Which four solar terms does the Spring Rain Awakens Spring refer to?

Spring Rain Awakens Spring refers to the four solar terms of Lichun, Yushui, Jingzhe, and Chunfen. Solar terms are specific festivals in the Ganzhi calendar that indicate the changes in natural rhythms and establish the "Twelve Months" (monthly order). Lichun is the first of the 24 solar terms. Li means "beginning". Spring represents warmth and growth. Lichun is when the sun reaches 315° of the ecliptic longitude, and it falls on February 3-5 of the Gregorian calendar every year.

Rainwater means the beginning of precipitation, with the amount of rainfall gradually increasing. It usually starts on February 18 or 19, when the sun reaches 330° of the ecliptic longitude. When entering the Rainwater solar term, preparations for spring sowing need to be made.

Jingzhe marks the beginning of mid-spring, and occurs when the sun reaches 345° of the ecliptic longitude on March 5 or 6 every year.

The Spring Equinox is an important time for farming. The sun shines directly on the earth's equator, and the day and night are almost equal. The sun reaches 0 degrees of ecliptic longitude, and the spring equinox falls on March 19-22 of the Gregorian calendar every year.

Why is there no Daman in the 24 solar terms?

"Xiaoman, Xiaoman, the wheat grains are gradually filling up." When our ancestors named "Xiaoman", they expressed the joy of the upcoming harvest. At this time, the wheat is turning from green to yellow. In a few days, it will form a golden field that reaches as far as the sky.

The wheat is filling with milk and the grains are beginning to become full, almost ripe but not yet ripe, so it is called Xiaoman.

If you observe the 24 solar terms carefully, you will find that many of them are relative. If there is Lesser Heat, there is Greater Heat; if there is Lesser Snow, there is Greater Snow; if there is Lesser Cold, there is Greater Cold. There is only one difference, that is, there is Lesser Full but not Greater Full. "Shuowen Jiezi" says: "Full means overflowing." As the saying goes, "When water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes." Therefore, everything in life cannot be "greatly full", because fullness will bring harm. This may be the reason why our ancestors used "Grain in Ear" instead of "Greater Full"! Among the 24 solar terms, Lesser Full is definitely a solar term full of philosophy.

Xiaoman means full without loss, full without overflowing, and full without spilling. The Chinese Confucian tradition emphasizes the doctrine of the mean and avoids "too full" or "great full".

Everything has its own development limit. Once it reaches or exceeds this limit, it will tend to decline or transform into its opposite. Therefore, there is a saying that "Pride brings harm, humility brings benefit" and "Everything will turn into its opposite when it reaches its extreme." Therefore, when our ancestors named the 24 solar terms, they only set Xiaoman but not Daman.

What does the 24 solar terms Xiaoman mean?

Beginning to mature, but not yet full.

"Collected Explanations of the 72 Solar Terms of the Lunar Calendar" states: "In the middle of April, things are small and full."

Diseases are more likely to occur after the Grain Full solar term. It is recommended that people should have a health awareness of "preventing illness before it occurs", starting from the two aspects of strengthening the body's positive energy and preventing the invasion of pathogens.

Origin of the 24 solar terms

The 24 solar terms are the product of ancient agricultural civilization, and contain the long-standing cultural connotations and historical accumulation of the Chinese nation. It was originally formulated based on the movement of the stars. The ancients guided agricultural production according to the direction of the Big Dipper in the night sky. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, the "24 solar terms" were included in the "Taichu Calendar" as a calendar supplement to guide farming, and the gnomon shadow measurement method was used to determine the solar terms in the Yellow River Basin. The current "24 solar terms" are derived from the division based on the degree of the sun's yellow sun established more than 300 years ago. In the course of historical development, the "24 solar terms" were included in the lunar calendar and became an important part of the lunar calendar.

The 24 solar terms are: Beginning of Spring, Rain Water, Waking of Insects, Vernal Equinox, Pure Brightness, Grain Rain, Beginning of Summer, Grain Full, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Lesser Heat, Greater Heat, Beginning of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew, Autumnal Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost Descent, Beginning of Winter, Light Snow, Heavy Snow, Winter Solstice, Lesser Cold, Greater Cold.