Solar term · ecliptic longitude 270°

Winter Solstice

The shortest day in the northern hemisphere; days lengthen from here, which tradition saw as yang returning.

Winter Solstice in recent years

Taipei / Beijing time (UTC+8)

20252025-12-21 23:03

20262026-12-22 04:50

20272027-12-22 10:42

20282028-12-21 16:19

20292029-12-21 22:14

20302030-12-22 04:09

Is Winter Solstice on the same date every year?

Almost, give or take a day. Solar terms mark the moment the sun reaches ecliptic longitude 270°, so they track the Gregorian calendar closely but move around in the lunar one.

Other solar terms

Minor Cold Major Cold Start of Spring Rain Water Awakening of Insects Spring Equinox Clear and Bright Grain Rain Start of Summer Grain Buds Grain in Ear Summer Solstice Minor Heat Major Heat Start of Autumn End of Heat White Dew Autumn Equinox Cold Dew Frost Descent Start of Winter Minor Snow Major Snow

This is the general reading. On your own chart it shifts with the stars' brightness, the San Fang Si Zheng and the year you are in.

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