24 Solar Terms
The 24 Solar Terms divide the year based on the sun's position, an East Asian traditional calendar system. Check the 2026 solar term dates.
봄 (Spring)
Start of Spring 立春 Start of Spring
The first solar term of spring, marking the beginning of the new agricultural year. In Korean tradition, auspicious couplets (chunryeon) are posted on doors and pillars. Though cold weather lingers, the earth begins to awaken.
Rain Water 雨水 Rain Water
Snow turns to rain and ice begins to melt. Spring rains nourish the soil as plants start to sprout. A Korean proverb says the Taedong River thaws by Usu and Gyeongchip, marking the true start of the thaw.
Awakening of Insects 驚蟄 Awakening of Insects
Hibernating insects and frogs are startled awake by spring thunder. Dormant creatures begin their activity as the earth warms. Farmers start preparing for the planting season in earnest.
Spring Equinox 春分 Spring Equinox
Day and night are equal in length, marking the true beginning of spring. Daylight hours grow longer from this point. Farmers begin spring planting as nature comes alive with renewed energy.
Clear and Bright 清明 Clear and Bright
The sky clears and the weather warms. It is the ideal time to begin plowing fields for spring planting. As this term often coincides with Hansik (Cold Food Day), families visit ancestral graves.
Grain Rain 穀雨 Grain Rain
Spring rain nourishes all grains and crops. Rice seedbeds are prepared and full-scale farming begins. Trees are at peak sap flow, making it the traditional time for sap harvesting.
여름 (Summer)
Start of Summer 立夏 Start of Summer
Summer begins. Spring planting wraps up and summer farming takes over. Temperatures rise and plant growth accelerates as the season shifts.
Grain Buds 小滿 Grain Buds
All things grow and begin to fill out. Barley ripens and rice transplanting preparations are in full swing. The mountains and fields deepen to rich green.
Grain in Ear 芒種 Grain in Ear
Time to sow awned grains like rice and barley. It is the prime season for rice transplanting while the barley harvest is underway. The saying goes: barley ripens to eat, rice seedlings grow to plant.
Summer Solstice 夏至 Summer Solstice
The longest day and shortest night of the year. The sun reaches its highest point in the sky, after which daylight hours decrease. Farmers rush to complete rice transplanting by this date.
Minor Heat 小暑 Minor Heat
The heat intensifies. The monsoon front becomes active, bringing both heat and humidity. Wheat and barley harvests end as rice grows vigorously in the paddies.
Major Heat 大暑 Major Heat
The hottest period of the year with sweltering heat. It overlaps with the peak of the traditional three-dog-days (sambok). Fruits and vegetables ripen fully, and the monsoon season typically ends.
가을 (Autumn)
Start of Autumn 立秋 Start of Autumn
Autumn begins. Though heat lingers, cool breezes arrive in morning and evening. Rice ears begin to emerge as preparations for the autumn harvest start.
End of Heat 處暑 End of Heat
The heat subsides and cool weather arrives. A Korean proverb says even mosquitoes lose their bite after Cheoseo. Farmers begin planting kimchi cabbages for autumn.
White Dew 白露 White Dew
Dew begins to form on grass as nighttime temperatures drop. Autumn is fully established, and rice turns golden yellow. Harvest preparations begin in earnest.
Autumn Equinox 秋分 Autumn Equinox
Day and night are equal in length, after which nights grow longer. The harvest season begins in full as crops ripen abundantly. The autumn sky is high and clear.
Cold Dew 寒露 Cold Dew
Cold dew forms as autumn deepens. Chrysanthemums bloom and autumn foliage begins. The harvest is in full swing and early winter preparations commence.
Frost's Descent 霜降 Frost's Descent
Frost begins to descend. Nighttime temperatures drop below freezing, bringing the first frost. Autumn foliage peaks and the harvest wraps up with threshing underway.
겨울 (Winter)
Start of Winter 立冬 Start of Winter
Winter begins. Kimchi preparation (gimjang) starts and winter provisions are made. The ground begins to freeze, leaves fall, and winter sets in.
Minor Snow 小雪 Minor Snow
The first snow begins to fall. Thin ice forms and the ground freezes. It is the prime time for kimchi making, with winter vegetables like radish and cabbage being harvested.
Major Snow 大雪 Major Snow
Heavy snow falls. True winter cold sets in with heavy snowfall in mountainous regions. The agricultural off-season begins as final winter preparations are completed.
Winter Solstice 冬至 Winter Solstice
The longest night and shortest day of the year. Traditionally, red bean porridge (patjuk) is prepared. Also called 'little new year,' daylight hours gradually increase after this day.
Minor Cold 小寒 Minor Cold
The coldest period of the year begins. A Korean proverb says Daehan freezes to death visiting Sohan's house, meaning this period is often colder than Major Cold. Bitter cold waves prevail.
Major Cold 大寒 Major Cold
The last of the 24 solar terms, meaning greatest cold, though temperatures often ease slightly compared to Minor Cold. It is time to wrap up the year and prepare for the new one. After Daehan, the cycle returns to Ipchun.