Daxue (solar term)


The traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar divides a year into 24 solar terms. Dàxuě is the 21st solar term. It begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 255° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 270°. It more often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 255°. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around 7 December and ends around 21 December.

Pentads

  • 鶡旦不鳴, 'The jie-bird ceases to crow': the jie is a bird, similar to the pheasant, which is believed to be aggressive and combatant. As winter progresses, even this active bird slows and ceases to crow.
  • 虎始交, 'Tigers begin to mate'
  • 荔挺生, 'The litchi plant starts to germinate.'