The 24 Solar Terms in Chinese lunar calendar originated from the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. It appeared in the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD). The ancient Chinese based on knowledge in astronomy, climatology and agricultural meteorology to invent it. According to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun Solar Terms divide a year into 24 segments. Since the Earth takes about one year to complete its orbit once (360 degree), by dividing it into 24 equal segments, each 15 degrees (approximately 15 days) will mark a Solar Term. The 24 Solar Terms generally represent the seasonal change over central China in a year, and in turn, closely relate to agricultural activities in ancient China.
Solar Terms are in general named according to the astronomical phenomena, climatological characteristics or agricultural activities prevalent at the respective times of the seasons.
The 24 Solar Terms were determined by the changes of the Sun’s position in the zodiac all through the year. In the lunar calendar, the date of each solar term is basically fixed, with the minor changes within one or two days. As a reflection of the regularity of the changes of the climate in the central part of China, the 24 Solar Terms still guide the agricultural activities there.
The following chart is a brief introduction of 24 Solar Terms:

Chinese Fengshui Yin and Yang and Eight Trigrams(Bagua) Five Elements(Wuxing) Chinese Zodiac(The twelve Animal Signs) Chinese Festivals Chinese 24 Solar Terms Chinese Architectural Culture Dragon and Chinese culture Chinese Symbolic Designs Chinese Couplets and Spring Festival Picture Chinese Character and Chinese language Chinese Name Chinese Religions Chinese Imperial Examination System Chinese Four Treasures of the Study Traditional Chinese Music Chinese Literature Chinese Four Great Inventions Chinese Marriage Customs Binding Foot