What are the 24 Solar Terms?
The 24 Solar Terms divide the year into 24 equal parts based on the sun's movement. They accurately represent seasonal changes and were crucial in agricultural societies for determining farming schedules.
In Bazi, the 24 Solar Terms serve as the basis for determining the Month Pillar. Months change based on Solar Terms, not calendar dates.
💡 Solar Terms and Month Calendar
January 1st on the Gregorian calendar is not the new year in Bazi. The Bazi new year begins with Spring Begins (立春). Similarly, each month changes based on Solar Terms, not the 1st of each month.
List of 24 Solar Terms
| Month | Solar Term | Gregorian | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 (Tiger 寅) | Spring Begins (立春) | ~Feb 4 | Spring begins |
| Rain Water (雨水) | ~Feb 19 | Snow turns to rain | |
| Month 2 (Rabbit 卯) | Awakening of Insects (驚蟄) | ~Mar 6 | Insects awaken |
| Spring Equinox (春分) | ~Mar 21 | Day and night equal | |
| Month 3 (Dragon 辰) | Pure Brightness (淸明) | ~Apr 5 | Sky becomes clear |
| Grain Rain (穀雨) | ~Apr 20 | Rain for grain crops | |
| Month 4 (Snake 巳) | Summer Begins (立夏) | ~May 6 | Summer begins |
| Grain Buds (小滿) | ~May 21 | All things grow | |
| Month 5 (Horse 午) | Grain in Ear (芒種) | ~Jun 6 | Plant awned grain |
| Summer Solstice (夏至) | ~Jun 21 | Longest day | |
| Month 6 (Goat 未) | Slight Heat (小暑) | ~Jul 7 | Minor heat |
| Great Heat (大暑) | ~Jul 23 | Major heat | |
| Month 7 (Monkey 申) | Autumn Begins (立秋) | ~Aug 8 | Autumn begins |
| End of Heat (處暑) | ~Aug 23 | Heat retreats | |
| Month 8 (Rooster 酉) | White Dew (白露) | ~Sep 8 | White dew descends |
| Autumn Equinox (秋分) | ~Sep 23 | Day and night equal | |
| Month 9 (Dog 戌) | Cold Dew (寒露) | ~Oct 8 | Cold dew descends |
| Frost Descends (霜降) | ~Oct 23 | Frost descends | |
| Month 10 (Pig 亥) | Winter Begins (立冬) | ~Nov 7 | Winter begins |
| Slight Snow (小雪) | ~Nov 22 | Minor snow | |
| Month 11 (Rat 子) | Great Snow (大雪) | ~Dec 7 | Major snow |
| Winter Solstice (冬至) | ~Dec 22 | Longest night | |
| Month 12 (Ox 丑) | Slight Cold (小寒) | ~Jan 6 | Minor cold |
| Great Cold (大寒) | ~Jan 20 | Major cold |
Solar Terms and Month Pillar
In Bazi, the Month Pillar is determined based on Solar Terms. Among the 24 Solar Terms, odd-numbered ones are 'Major Terms' and even-numbered ones are 'Minor Terms'. Months change based on Major Terms.
📅 Example
If you were born on February 3, 2024, since it's before Spring Begins (February 4),
in Bazi terms, you would be considered born in December 2023 (Ox month).
Year Pillar and Spring Begins
The Year Pillar in Bazi also changes based on Spring Begins, not January 1st. If you are born before Spring Begins, the previous year's pillar is used.
This service calculates Solar Term times through precise astronomical calculations to produce accurate Month and Year Pillars.