China's 24 Solar Terms have been studied and followed in China for thousands of years, and are still believed to be a wise system today. So what exactly are those terms and how do they influence people's lives?

China's "24 solar terms" is a knowledge system and social practice based on observation of the sun's motion, changes in season, climate, and phenology.

[Photo: chinadaily.com.cn]

The sytem was created thousands of years ago in China, primarily to assist farmers. Ancient Chinese people used it to guide agriculture production, alert against drastic weather changes like floods and drought, plan cultural ceremonies and family gatherings, and even inspire healthy living tips. The “24 solar terms” is still used by many Chinese farmers and is also followed in many other parts of the world apart.

"The 24 solar terms were initially developed along the Yellow River, and later became popular with different minorities in various areas across China. It's a kind of time management system which is based on local weather and latitude. This has made it more interesting as it's not just a weather system, it has a lot to do with geographic knowledge as well," said Chao Gejin, president of China Folklore Society.

One of China's most important holidays, its yearly Spring Festival is still determined by the 24 solar terms. The "Start of Spring" is the first solar term in a Chinese year, and usually begins between February 2nd and February 5th. When the day arrives, days get longer and sunlight gets warmer, reminding farmers that planting season is about to begin.

People in Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and many other countries in Asia also use China's 24 Solar Terms.