In modern times, the 24 Solar Terms are still an important part of Chinese culture and everyday life of Chinese people. Some traditions related are still followed as a daily routine, and we still benefit from these ancient wisdoms.
We’ll dive deep into each of the Solar Terms to learn about their meanings, and how we can live by such ancient knowledge that concludes the essence of how the world around us changes.
Here’s the upcoming solar terms in spring. Let us live by the flow.
4. Spring Equinox (春分)
The Spring Equinox, occurring around March 21st, is the midpoint of spring, where day and night are of equal length. This solar term signifies the balance of yin and yang and is a key period for planting crops. Farmers use this time to sow seeds and transplant seedlings, ensuring optimal growth conditions.
As the weather starts to warm up and spring is in the air, spring flowers also start to come to their full blooms with the seasonal changes. One of the early spring flowers is pear blossom, signaling a new year right around the corner.
To preserve the sweet springtime scent, INCENZO follows the traditional Chinese incense recipe that leverages woody based incense and pear in Revive — our pear blossom incense stick. The incense mimics pear blossom by steaming incense powder in a pear, providing the most soothing and grounding aroma for sleep. This is also the recipe used by concubines in the royal palaces in ancient times.
Cultural traditions include balancing eggs to symbolize harmony and consuming foods like spring vegetables to celebrate the season’s fresh produce. It is also a time for ancestral worship, with families visiting gravesites to honor their deceased relatives.
5. Clear and Bright (清明)
Clear and Bright, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, arrives around April 5th and is a time for honoring ancestors and cleaning their graves. This solar term coincides with the flourishing of plant life and moderate temperatures, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities and agriculture.
When spring comes to its fullest, so do peach blossoms. The famous poem saying “A comely face and peach blooms together did glow” (人面桃花相映红) vividly depicts the spring scenes, when people starts to go outdoors again and meet others, instead of staying indoors during freezing winter times.
To capture such energetic vibes of spring, INCENZO makes Awaken — our peach blossom incense stick. By adding peach blossom petals as part of the ingredients, let the refreshing floral scents hype you up like a breezing in the springtime, bringing the waking-up of everything in the world.
Families visit cemeteries to tidy up graves, offer food, and burn incense as a sign of respect. In addition to ancestral rites, people enjoy outings in nature, flying kites, and planting trees, activities that celebrate life and the renewal of the earth.
6. Grain Rain (谷雨)
Grain Rain, occurring around April 20th, marks the last solar term of spring and is characterized by increased rainfall that benefits grain crops. This period is critical for the growth of seedlings and the prevention of plant diseases. Farmers take advantage of the ample water supply to irrigate fields and apply fertilizers.
Traditional activities during Grain Rain include picking and drinking tea, as the fresh tea leaves harvested during this time are believed to have the best flavor and health benefits. People also honor the mythical figure Cangjie, credited with inventing Chinese characters, to emphasize the importance of literacy and education.
