The traditional Chinese
lunisolar calendar
A lunisolar calendar is a calendar in many cultures, combining lunar calendars and solar calendars. The date of Lunisolar calendars therefore indicates both the Moon phase and the time of the solar year, that is the position of the Sun in the Ea ...
divide a year into 24
solar terms.
''Gǔyǔ'', ''Kokuu'', ''Gogu'', or ''Cốc vũ'' is the 6th solar term. It begins when the Sun reaches the
celestial longitude of 30° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 45°. It more often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 30°. In the
Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around April 20 and ends around May 5.
Traditionally, Guyu marks the beginning of warmer temperatures and the onset of the rainy season, making it an important period for farmers to ensure a satisfactory harvest for the rest of the year.
Pentads
Each solar term can be divided into 3
pentads (候). They are: first pentad (初候), second pentad (次候) and last pentad (末候). Pentads in Guyu include:
China
* First pentad: 萍始生, 'Duckweed begins to sprout'.
* Second pentad: 鳴鳩拂其羽, '
Cuckoo shakes off wings'.
* Last pentad: 戴勝降于桑, '
Hoopoe perches in mulberry trees'.
Japan
* First pentad: , 'Reed begins to bud'.
* Second pentad: , 'Frost ends and rice seedlings to grow'.
* Last pentad: , 'Peony blooms'.
Date and time
References
{{s-end
06
Spring (season)