One Date.
Six Ways of Seeing Time.

The coldest period approaches. Traditional farmers completed final winter preparations. Families ate warming foods: lamb hotpot, glutinous rice porridge with dates and nuts.

The peak of winter cold. In northern China, rivers froze solid. The traditional Laba Festival falls near here — families make Laba porridge (腊八粥) with eight grains to celebrate abundance.

Li Chun is the most important term for Chinese metaphysics. It marks the new solar year in traditional BaZi (八字) calculation — before the Lunar New Year. Families bit spring onions (咬春) and ate spring rolls to "bite into spring."

The first rains after winter. In Sichuan, sons-in-law traditionally gave their mothers-in-law a bamboo-woven back basket (背篓) as thanks. Rain returns to nourish the waiting earth.

Thunder wakes the hibernating animals. In some regions, people symbolically beat villainous figures (打小人) to ward off negative influences for the year. Spring thunder was both feared and welcomed.

Day and night become equal. A famous tradition: standing an egg upright on a flat surface (春分竖蛋). In theory, eggs stand more easily at the equinox — tradition says it brings good luck.

The most important ancestor-honoring day. Families visit graves, sweep tombs (扫墓), and offer food and paper goods. Spring outings (踏青) celebrate the vibrant new growth.

Rain nourishes the grain sprouts. This term gives its name to the finest first-flush tea of the year — tea picked before Grain Rain (雨前茶) is considered exceptionally tender and fragrant.

Summer officially begins. Families weighed children (称人) to check their health after spring. Eating eggs (吃蛋) was believed to strengthen the body for the heat ahead.

Grain ears fill but have not yet ripened — "small fullness." A reminder that abundance requires patience. Bitter herbs were eaten to prepare the body for summer heat.

Time to plant millet and harvest winter wheat — the busiest farming period. A farewell ceremony for flower spirits (饯花神) marked the passing of peak spring beauty.

The longest day. Ancient emperors performed elaborate rituals facing south to acknowledge the sun's peak. Families ate noodles (冬至饺子夏至面) to celebrate and add a year of longevity.

Heat intensifies. Traditional medicine advised reducing physical exertion and eating cool foods like mung bean soup (绿豆汤). The lotus flowers in full bloom.

The hottest days of the year. In some regions, families drank herbal teas, burned incense, and "stewed" in the heat intentionally — sweating was thought to purge winter toxins.

A vital moment. Families weighed themselves against their spring weight (贴秋膘) — tradition said you should eat heartily to "add autumn fat" before winter. The first hint of coolness arrives.

Heat finally retreats. This is the term happening now or very recently. The Ghost Festival (中元节) falls near here — lanterns are floated on water to guide wandering spirits.

Dew forms on leaves and grass in the morning — a visible sign of cooling. Families collected dew and mixed it with chrysanthemum wine for health. Geese begin their southward migration.

The second great balance point. China's national Farmers Harvest Festival (中国农民丰收节) was established on this date. Another day for standing eggs. Mooncakes and reunion.

Dew turns cold — barely above freezing. Chrysanthemum wine (菊花酒) is drunk on the Double Ninth Festival (重阳节). Elders are honored. The mountains begin to show autumn colors.

The first frost arrives. Red persimmons (柿子) ripen on bare branches — a symbol of good fortune. Families eat persimmons to "smooth things over" and bring good luck.

Winter officially begins. Families in northern China make dumplings (饺子) together — the folded shape resembles ancient ingots, bringing wealth. Southern families may make glutinous rice (汤圆).

Light snow may fall. Traditional families began making cured meats (腊肉) and preserved vegetables for winter. The first snowfall was considered auspicious.

Heavy snow is expected. A famous saying: 大雪兆丰年 — "heavy snow foretells a prosperous year," because snow insulates crops and kills pests. Warming foods like mutton soup are eaten.

One of the most celebrated terms — as important as Chinese New Year in some families. Northern families eat dumplings (饺子); southern families eat tangyuan (汤圆, sweet rice balls). Ancestors are honored with offerings.