Introduction to the 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar

The twenty-four solar terms of the lunar calendar are supplementary calendars formulated by China to guide farming in ancient times, and they are the crystallization of the long-term experience and wisdom of the working people of the ancient Han nationality. The 24 solar terms are: beginning of spring, Rain, Sting, Equinox, Qingming, Grain Rain, Changxia, Xiaoman, Mangzhong, Summer Solstice, Xiaoxia, Daxia, beginning of autumn, Chushu, Bailu, Autumn Equinox, Cold Dew, First Frost, beginning of winter, Light Snow, Heavy Snow, Winter Solstice, Slight Cold and Severe Cold. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period, the ancient sages of China set four solar terms, namely midsummer, midsummer, midsummer and winter solstice, and constantly improved and perfected them. By the Qin and Han Dynasties, the 24 solar terms had been completely established. The intangible cultural heritage of the twenty-four solar terms of the lunar calendar is very rich, including related proverbs, songs and legends, traditional production tools, utensils, handicrafts, calligraphy and painting, as well as Han festival culture, production ceremonies and folk customs closely related to festivals. Twenty-four solar terms are the concrete expression of ancient Han agricultural civilization, which has high research value of agricultural history and culture. On May 20th, 2006, with the approval of the State Council, the 24 solar terms declared by china agricultural museum were included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list.