While this fits an ideal pattern of dates, it does not reflect observable reality in most of China. The solar terms known as Start of Spring, Start of Summer, Start of Autumn, and Start of Winter are used to reflect the change of seasons, dividing the year into four seasons of exactly three months. In both the lunar and solar calendars, the Gregorian calendar date of each solar term is basically fixed, with minor differences of within one or two days.įrom the names of the 24 solar terms, we can see that the division of the solar terms has fully considered the variation of natural phenomena, such as seasons, climates and phenology. The terms consist of 12 pairs of major (sectional) and minor (middle) solar terms interlaced with each other., namely The 24 solar terms embody a complete circle of the sun and divide the circle into 24 segments, with each segment being about half a month long.
'Major Cold' It is the coldest time of the year. The daytime is the shortest and the nighttime is the longest of the year. It snows heavily for the first time in the year (in northern China).
Snow begins to fall, the weather becomes cold.
True of northern China, but winter comes later in the south. The weather becomes cold and frost begins to form (in North China). The weather becomes cold enough to reach dew point, but not cold enough to reach frost point. The temperature drops sharply, and the autumn rains come. Like the "start of spring" it is about a month premature. It is the time of year when the duration of the sunshine is the longest, the average temperature is the highest, the rainfall is the greatest, and the thunderstorms are the most frequent (in some parts of northern China).Īn anomaly: nowhere is this true. The daytime is the longest and the nighttime is the shortest of the year. The wheat becomes ripe and the summer planting starts (in southern China). The seeds of summer crops begin to become plump, but are not yet ripe. The beginning of summer (in southern China). A misnomer, particularly in southern China. It is clear and bright (when it's not raining), and the weather becomes noticeably warmer. Thunder begins and hibernating insects wake up. There is an increase of rainfall from then on. He’s pretty good.A dubiously premature name, as it's not the beginning of spring in most of China only in the extreme south. So my vote goes to Duke and that coach with the funny last name. But they did also open the season with a win against Kentucky. It was a high, high caliber game between two incredibly gifted teams, and were that all Duke had on its résumé, maybe I don’t put the Devils at the top. So impressed with the Blue Devils’ poise and their ability to stave off Gonzaga even after Paolo Banchero was again forced out with cramps (get that child some pickle juice, please). I was worried I’d be too exhausted to stay up for the entire game against the Zags, but it was such a great game that I had a hard time falling asleep afterward. But we actually have a legit water-cooler argument this Monday morning. 1? A non-issue a year ago, when Gonzaga ran the table until getting run over in the title game. College basketball is off to a ridiculously entertaining start, and less than a month in, we are already facing our first debate: Who’s No. Anyway … to more important conversations. And I only wish I was exaggerating the amounts but alas, when you host a feast that Myles Standish would think is a bit much, this is what happens. Hopefully it was as tasty as the 10 pounds of mashed potatoes, five pounds of green beans, three pumpkin pies, two pecan pies and two birds cooked here. Brian, I know, is not a turkey fan but did enjoy his favorite side dish, a Surly IPA. Welcome back to Shot Takers, and please say hello to my partner, Brian Hamilton. Hello to all hoops fans, tryptophan survivors and early holiday shoppers.