The “Song About the Twenty-Four Solar Terms” is a traditional Chinese poem that beautifully encapsulates the essence of the Chinese lunar calendar and the changing seasons. Each line of the song corresponds to one of the twenty-four solar terms, which are the divisions of the year used in traditional Chinese agriculture and culture. Below is a translation of the song, followed by an explanation of each solar term.
A Song About the Twenty-Four Solar Terms
(Verse 1)
The first solar term is known as “Start of Spring,”
When the days begin to lengthen, the world awakens.
(Verse 2)
Next comes “Rice Sprouting,”
The soil warms, and the seeds start to grow.
(Verse 3)
“Clear and Bright” follows,
The sun shines brightly, the air is clear.
(Verse 4)
“Grain in Ear” comes next,
The crops are lush, the fields are green.
(Verse 5)
“Summer Solstice” arrives,
The longest day, the sun is at its peak.
(Verse 6)
“Grain in Pod” is the term,
The grains are filled, the harvest near.
(Verse 7)
“Autumn Begins” marks the change,
The leaves turn yellow, the air turns cool.
(Verse 8)
“Stem Ends” is the next sign,
The crops are harvested, the fields are clean.
(Verse 9)
“Autumn Equinox” comes,
Day and night are equal, the world is serene.
(Verse 10)
“Cold Dew” falls, the air turns crisp,
The nights grow longer, the days shorter.
(Verse 11)
“First Snow” falls, the world is white,
The cold is setting in, the winter’s bite.
(Verse 12)
“Winter Solstice” comes,
The shortest day, the longest night.
(Verse 13)
“Little Cold” follows,
The cold deepens, the winter tightens.
(Verse 14)
“Big Cold” arrives,
The cold is fierce, the snow is deep.
(Verse 15)
“Start of Spring” returns,
The world awakens, the cycle begins anew.
Explanation of Each Solar Term:
Start of Spring: The first day of spring, when the days start getting longer and the weather begins to warm.
Rice Sprouting: The soil warms up, and the conditions are right for rice seeds to sprout.
Clear and Bright: A period of clear and sunny weather, often associated with the Qingming Festival.
Grain in Ear: The crops have reached the ear stage, indicating that the harvest is near.
Summer Solstice: The longest day of the year, marking the peak of summer.
Grain in Pod: The grains are fully developed in the pods, and the harvest is approaching.
Autumn Begins: The beginning of autumn, with the weather starting to cool down.
Stem Ends: The stems of the crops are fully mature, and the harvest begins.
Autumn Equinox: The day and night are of equal length, a time of balance and harvest.
Cold Dew: The first frost of the season, signaling the arrival of autumn.
First Snow: The first snowfall of the year, marking the beginning of winter.
Winter Solstice: The shortest day of the year, when the days start getting longer again.
Little Cold: The cold weather deepens, but it is not yet the coldest time of the year.
Big Cold: The coldest period of the winter, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.
Start of Spring: The cycle begins anew, with the first day of spring and the start of a new agricultural season.
The “Song About the Twenty-Four Solar Terms” not only serves as a poetic reminder of the changing seasons but also reflects the deep connection between Chinese culture and the natural world.