
The Solar Terms
JANUARY 2, 2025
The 24 Solar Terms 节气 (Jié Qì) are ancient Chinese calendar markers that divide the year into 24 equal parts based on the earth's position around the sun, also known as the sun ecliptic.
These terms are not just about time; they're signposts for living in harmony with the natural world. Each term signals a shift in the seasons, offering us poetic yet practical reminders to flow along.

A Note from Mimi
Illustrating the Solar Terms offered a chance to explore my cultural heritage and reconnect with earth's natural rhythms.
Through this series, I hoped to engage a mindful appreciation of our surroundings, apply ancient wisdom to our modern life, and invite reflection on our understanding of the seasons within us.
I knew very little about these terms before I began, and gained invaluable insights by working on them gradually throughout the year. I hope you enjoy this series as well
🙏 -M
Artwork
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Start of Spring | Lì Chūn 立春
Shop ArtFebruary 3–5 💫 Sun at 315°
The first breath of spring stirs beneath the surface. Life awakens, though the world still feels cold. A reminder that change begins long before we see it. -
Rain Water | Yǔ Shuǐ 雨水
Shop ArtFebruary 18–20 | Sun at 330°
The sky softens, releasing rain to wake the earth. What seems dreary is, in truth, nourishment—preparing the ground for all that is to come. -
Awakening of Insects | Jīng Zhé 惊蛰
Shop ArtMarch 5–7, Sun at 345°
A distant rumble of thunder, a stirring beneath the soil. Dormant life awakens, responding to nature’s quiet call. -
Spring Equinox | Chūn Fēn 春分
Shop ArtMarch 20–22 💫 Sun at 0°
Light and dark stand in perfect balance, a brief moment of harmony before the days grow long. Nature reminds us that equilibrium is fleeting—but always returning. -
Clear Brightness | Qīng Míng 清明
Shop ArtApril 4–6 💫 Sun at 15°
The past is honored, the future made clear. As the rains wash the land, the air is filled with renewal—a time to sweep away what no longer belongs. -
Grain Rain | Gǔ Yǔ 谷雨
Shop ArtApril 19–21 💫 Sun at 30°
The final rains of spring soak the fields, ushering in abundance. A season of steady patience, of trust that what has been planted will soon take root. -
Start of Summer | Lì Xià 立夏
Shop ArtMay 5–7 💫 Sun at 45°
The days stretch long, the air hums with warmth. Life is in full bloom, inviting us to lean into the fullness of the season. -
Grain Full | Xiǎomǎn 小满
Shop ArtMay 20–22 💫 Sun at 60°
Not yet ripe, but nearly there. The world swells with promise, reminding us that growth is a process, and fulfillment takes time. -
Grain in Ear | Mángzhòng 芒种
Contact Us to Request ArtJune 5–7 💫 Sun at 75°
The fields are heavy with grain, ready for harvest. A moment of action—what has grown must now be gathered, before the season moves on. -
Summer Solstice | Xiàzhì 夏至
Contact Us to Request ArtJune 20–22 💫 Sun at 90°
The sun lingers at its highest point, bathing the world in light. A time to pause and soak in the abundance before the cycle begins to turn again. -
Minor Heat | Xiǎoshǔ 小暑
Shop ArtJuly 6–8 💫 Sun at 105°
Summer deepens, but the heat is still gentle. A season to slow down, to rest in the shade, to savor the simple joys of warmth and ease. -
Major Heat | Dàshǔ 大暑
Contact Us to Request ArtJuly 22–24 💫 Sun at 120°
The peak of summer’s fire, when the world simmers under the sun. This is a time to protect our energy, to find cool shade, and enjoy some slow rest. -
Start of Autumn | Lìqiū 立秋
Shop ArtAugust 7–9 💫 Sun at 135°
A shift in the wind, a whisper of change. Though the heat lingers, autumn has quietly arrived, preparing the world for its golden turn. -
Limit of Heat | Chùshǔ 处暑
Shop ArtAugust 22–24 💫 Sun at 150°
The intensity of summer fades, replaced by crisp mornings and longer nights. A season of transition, teaching us that even warmth must learn to let go. -
White Dew | Báilù 白露
Contact Us to Request ArtSeptember 7–9 💫 Sun at 165°
Dew gathers on leaves, silver in the morning light. A gentle reminder that beauty is often fleeting—and that noticing it is its own kind of wisdom. -
Autumn Equinox | Qiūfēn 秋分
Contact Us to Request ArtSeptember 22–24 💫 Sun at 180°
Day and night meet as equals once more. A moment of balance before the year tilts toward its quieter half, asking us to do the same. -
Cold Dew | Hánlù 寒露
Shop ArtOctober 8–10 💫 Sun at 195°
The chill deepens, the earth exhales. It is a season of preparation—of gathering, of storing, of steadying ourselves for the colder months ahead. -
Descent of Frost | Shuāngjiàng 霜降
Shop ArtOctober 23–24 💫 Sun at 210°
The first frost descends, marking autumn’s last breath. Nature slows, settling into the stillness that will soon become winter. -
Start of Winter | Lìdōng 立冬
Shop ArtNovember 7–8 💫 Sun at 225°
The world turns inward. As the land quiets beneath the first touch of cold, we are reminded that rest is part of the cycle, too. -
Minor Snow | Xiǎoxuě 小雪
Contact Us to Request ArtNovember 22–24 💫 Sun at 240°
A light dusting of snow, the first glimpse of winter’s hand. Change arrives softly at first, giving us time to adjust. -
Major Snow | Dàxuě 大雪
Contact Us to Request ArtDecember 6–8 💫 Sun at 255°
Now the world is covered in white, the cold no longer subtle. Nature moves into deep rest, a lesson in stillness and resilience. -
Winter Solstice | Dōngzhì 冬至
Contact Us to Request ArtDecember 21–23 💫 Sun at 270°
The longest night of the year, but also a turning point. From here, the days will grow brighter—a reminder that even in darkness, light is always on its way back. -
Minor Cold | Xiǎohán 小寒
Contact Us to Request ArtJanuary 5–7 💫 Sun at 285°
The cold deepens, sharp and clear. But winter’s chill is not only to be endured—it is also a crisp, quiet beauty to be embraced. -
Major Cold | Dàhán 大寒
Contact Us to Request ArtJanuary 20–21 💫 Sun at 300°
Winter reaches its peak, the landscape still and silent. This is the season’s final test—a call to find warmth within, before spring begins again.
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The Solar Terms
A series of artwork inspired by the 24 Chinese Solar Terms (节气,...
The Solar Terms | Digital Book
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The Solar Terms | 2025 Digital Calendar
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