Lai Chi Wow! EP2: The
Twenty-four
Solar Terms Lai Chi Wow! EP2: The
Twenty-four
Solar Terms Lai Chi Wow! EP2: The
Twenty-four
Solar Terms

Lai Chi Wo used to be a farming Hakka village. The yield of crops directly affected the quality of life of the villagers. Bad weather leads to bad harvest. Without an observatory, farmers were not informed about the weather changes. After years of farming and observing, farmers discovered the pattern of seasons and weather changes. Combining their observations with the routines of the sun and moon, farmers divided a year into twenty-four equal periods, the twenty-four solar terms were created. The solar terms also guided farmers in Lai Chi Wo, crops thrived, animals live happily in Lai Chi Wo.

Zuni created a song about the twenty-four solar terms, let’s sing together!

The twenty-four solar terms can be categorized into four types: (I) stating the change of seasons, Spring Commences, Vernal Equinox, Summer Commences, Summer Solstice, Autumn Commences, Autumnal Equinox, Winter Commences and Winter Solstice; (II) related to temperature, Moderate Heat, Great Heat,

End of Heat, Moderate Cold, Severe Cold; (III) reveal raining pattern, Corn Rain, White Dew, Cold Dew, Frost, Light Snow and Heavy Snow; (IV) those closely affect farming activities, Insects Waken, Bright and Clear, Corn Forms and Corn on Ear. Although the solar terms are traditional Chinese wisdom, they do not refer to the traditional lunar calendar, but are based on the solar calendar.

Spring Commences, Summer Commences, Autumn Commences and Winter Commences state the begin of seasons each February, May, August and November respectively. Vernal Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumnal Equinox and Winter Solstice are related to the angle where the Sun shines on the Earth. Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice are days with the longest and shortest period of daylight respectively, while the periods of day and night are almost equal on Vernal Equinox and Autumnal Equinox.

The solar terms related to temperature are the easiest to understand. Great Heat is the hottest day in a year when warm-season crops thrive. End of Heat marks the end of Summer heat while Severe Cold is the coldest day in a year. Temperature is closely related to farming activity.

Spring Showers is the first rain-related solar term in a year. In the beginning of Spring, the weather gets warmer and it rains more frequent which allows the soil to become moist. Frost is the last solar term in Autumn, reveals that the weather is getting cold and there may be frost (ground temperature decreases rapidly to below zero) and crops may be harmed. However, farmers can still farm Autumn crops in warmer Southern areas like Hong Kong.

Insects Waken is on the 5^th or 6^th of March each year. Temperature becomes warm and hibernating animals waken gradually. The warm weather also makes this day suitable for Spring sowing.

Not only is it a day the Chinese worship ancestors, it is also one of the twenty-four solar terms. A Chinese poem goes, “A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day; The mourner’s heart is breaking on his way.”. Nevertheless, Bright and Clear is also a day of life and growth. Seed stocks bud and animals are born. Farmers are busy with Spring sowing on this day.

Summer crops such as rice have come into ear but yet to be mature. This period is marked by Corn Forms. When it comes the day Corn on Ear, cereal crops like barley, wheat and oat are ready to reap!

After getting to know the twenty-four solar terms, go have a look at the crops and chat with the farmers in Lai Chi Wo!