Introduction
The Chinese calendar is a rich tapestry of timekeeping that has been used for over 3,000 years. One of its most fascinating aspects is the 24 Solar Terms, which divide the year into 24 distinct periods based on astronomical and agricultural observations. Each of these periods is associated with a proverb that encapsulates the wisdom and cultural heritage of the Chinese people. In this article, we will explore these 24 Solar Terms proverbs and their meanings translated into English, providing a glimpse into the profound wisdom of ancient China.
1. Spring Equinox (Chunfen)
Proverb: 春风得意马蹄疾，一日看尽长安花 (Chūn fēng dé yì mǎ tí jí, yī rì kàn jìn cháng ān huā)
Translation: Riding a horse swiftly on a spring breeze, one can view the flowers of Chang’an in a single day.
Meaning: This proverb reflects the joy and energy of spring, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.
2. Beginning of Spring (Qīngmíng)
Proverb: 一年之计在于春，一日之计在于晨 (Yī nián zhī jì zài yú chūn, yī rì zhī jì zài yú chén)
Translation: The planning for a year is in spring, and for a day, in the morning.
Meaning: It emphasizes the importance of starting off right, suggesting that the best time to plan and prepare is at the beginning.
3. Pure Brightness (Qūngchén)
Proverb: 人无远虑，必有近忧 (Rén wú yuǎn lǜ, bì yǒu jìn yōu)
Translation: If a person does not plan for the distant future, they will inevitably have worries in the near future.
Meaning: It advises that one should think ahead and plan for the future to avoid unnecessary troubles.
4. Grain in Ear (Xiàoyuè)
Proverb: 一寸光阴一寸金，寸金难买寸光阴 (Yī cùn guāng yīn yī cùn jīn, cùn jīn nán mǎi cùn guāng yīn)
Translation: An inch of time is an inch of gold, but gold cannot buy an inch of time.
Meaning: It highlights the preciousness of time and the importance of making the most of it.
5. Grain in Ear (Mǎo)
Proverb: 莫等闲，白了少年头，空悲切 (Mò děng xián, bái le shào nián tóu, kōng bēi qiè)
Translation: Do not waste your time; when your youth is gone, you will only regret it.
Meaning: It serves as a reminder to make the most of one’s youth and not to squander time.
6. Summer Solstice (Xiàzhì)
Proverb: 烈日炎炎似火烧，野田禾稻半枯焦 (Liè rì yán yán sì shāo huǒ, yě tián hé dào bàn kū jiāo)
Translation: The scorching sun is like fire, half of the crops in the fields are withered.
Meaning: It describes the intense heat of summer and the challenges it brings to agricultural activities.
7. Grain in Ear (Xiāoshuǒ)
Proverb: 酷热难耐，不如去游泳 (Kù rè nán nài, bù rú qù yóu yǒng)
Translation: In the extreme heat, it’s better to go swimming.
Meaning: It suggests that when the weather is too hot, finding ways to cool down is a wise choice.
8. End of Summer (Chōushǒu)
Proverb: 秋高气爽，丹桂飘香 (Qiū gāo qì shuǎng, dān guì piāo xiāng)
Translation: The autumn sky is high and the air is fresh, the sweet scent of osmanthus flowers is in the air.
Meaning: It describes the pleasant and comfortable weather of autumn.
9. Autumn Equinox (Qiūjié)
Proverb: 一叶落知天下秋 (Yī yè luò zhī tiān xià qiū)
Translation: The fall of a single leaf indicates the arrival of autumn throughout the world.
Meaning: It signifies the subtle changes in nature that signal the beginning of autumn.
10. Cold Dew (Hànshuǐ)
Proverb: 天高云淡，秋水长天 (Tiān gāo yún dàn, qiū shuǐ cháng tiān)
Translation: The sky is high, the clouds are thin, and the autumn water extends to the sky.
Meaning: It captures the serene beauty of autumn.
11. Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhōngqiū Jié)
Proverb: 人月两团圆 (Rén yuè liǎng tuányuán)
Translation: The moon and people are both round.
Meaning: It celebrates the reunion of family and friends during the Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolizing completeness and harmony.
12. Deep Autumn (Chǎnxiāo)
Proverb: 秋风扫落叶，一片孤城万仞山 (Qiū fēng sǎo luò yè, yī piàn gū chéng wàn rèn shān)
Translation: The autumn wind sweeps away the fallen leaves, leaving a solitary city against a mountain range of ten thousand feet.
Meaning: It conveys the solitude and vastness of nature during the late autumn.
13. Winter Solstice (Dōngzhì)
Proverb: 一阳初生，万象更新 (Yī yáng chū shēng, wàn xiàng gēng xīn)
Translation: The first ray of the sun is born, and everything is renewed.
Meaning: It signifies the hope and renewal that comes with the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.
14. Minor Cold (Xiǎohéng)
Proverb: 冬至阳生，万物复苏 (Dōng zhì yáng shēng, wàn wù fù shēng)
Translation: The sun rises on the winter solstice, and all things revive.
Meaning: It describes the beginning of the warming trend and the return of life to the earth.
15. Major Cold (Dàhéng)
Proverb: 冬雪压枝头，春暖花开后 (Dōng xuě yā zhī tóu, chūn nuǎn huā huā hòu)
Translation: Snow presses down on the branches, but flowers will bloom after the spring warmth.
Meaning: It conveys the resilience of life and the promise of renewal.
16. Spring Rain (Chūnshuǐ)
Proverb: 春雨贵如油 (Chūn yǔ guì rú yóu)
Translation: Spring rain is as precious as oil.
Meaning: It highlights the importance of spring rain for agricultural activities.
17. Clear and Bright (Qiánguāng)
Proverb: 清明时节雨纷纷，路上行人欲断魂 (Qīng míng shí jié yǔ fēn fēn, lù shàng xíng rén yù duàn hún)
Translation: During the Qingming Festival, it rains in a downpour, and the travelers on the road feel like their souls are being torn apart.
Meaning: It describes the somber mood of the Qingming Festival, a time for honoring ancestors.
18. Grain in Ear (Lìjiǎo)
Proverb: 夏至三庚数头牛，芒种时节割麦忙 (Xià zhì sān gēng shù tóu niú, máng zhòng shí jié gē mài máng)
Translation: Three days after the summer solstice, count the oxen; during the Grain in Ear season, it’s busy cutting wheat.
Meaning: It describes the busy agricultural activities during the summer months.
19. End of Summer (Líxiāo)
Proverb: 秋风扫落叶，一片孤城万仞山 (Qiū fēng sǎo luò yè, yī piàn gū chéng wàn rèn shān)
Translation: The autumn wind sweeps away the fallen leaves, leaving a solitary city against a mountain range of ten thousand feet.
Meaning: It conveys the solitude and vastness of nature during the late autumn.
20. Winter Solstice (Dōngzhì)
Proverb: 一阳初生，万象更新 (Yī yáng chū shēng, wàn xiàng gēng xīn)
Translation: The first ray of the sun is born, and everything is renewed.
Meaning: It signifies the hope and renewal that comes with the winter solstice, the longest night of the year.
21. Minor Cold (Xiǎohéng)
Proverb: 冬至阳生，万物复苏 (Dōng zhì yáng shēng, wàn wù fù shēng)
Translation: The sun rises on the winter solstice, and all things revive.
Meaning: It describes the beginning of the warming trend and the return of life to the earth.
22. Major Cold (Dàhéng)
Proverb: 冬雪压枝头，春暖花开后 (Dōng xuě yā zhī tóu, chūn nuǎn huā huā hòu)
Translation: Snow presses down on the branches, but flowers will bloom after the spring warmth.
Meaning: It conveys the resilience of life and the promise of renewal.
23. Spring Rain (Chūnshuǐ)
Proverb: 春雨贵如油 (Chūn yǔ guì rú yóu)
Translation: Spring rain is as precious as oil.
Meaning: It highlights the importance of spring rain for agricultural activities.
24. Clear and Bright (Qiánguāng)
Proverb: 清明时节雨纷纷，路上行人欲断魂 (Qīng míng shí jié yǔ fēn fēn, lù shàng xíng rén yù duàn hún)
Translation: During the Qingming Festival, it rains in a downpour, and the travelers on the road feel like their souls are being torn apart.
Meaning: It describes the somber mood of the Qingming Festival, a time for honoring ancestors.
Conclusion
The 24 Solar Terms proverbs are a testament to the deep connection between the Chinese people and the natural world. They encapsulate the wisdom of ancient China, reflecting the changing seasons and the agricultural practices that have sustained the civilization for millennia. By understanding these proverbs, we gain insight into the rich cultural heritage of China and the enduring significance of the natural cycles that govern our lives.