The traditional Chinese calendar divides the year into 24 solar divisions with one chieh or "segment" and one chi or "climate" in each of the twelve months. This system developed as a way of marking the significant seasons and climate changes during the farmers' yearly cycle of work, from sowing and tilling to the final harvest.

The 24 solar divisions begin with the "Start of Spring," which is followed in turn by "Rain Water," when preparations for planting are made; "Excited Insects," a time of spring thunder and the stirring of new life; the spring equinox; "Clear and Bright," marked by the howling of southeasterly winds; and "Grain Rains," reminding the farmers that the seasonal downpours are beginning. The summer divisions begin with "Start of Summer"; "Grain Fills," when the grain swells on the stalks; "Grain in Ear," marking the time of harvest; the summer solstice; and "Slight Heat" and "Great Heat," when the warmth of summer becomes increasingly more oppressive.

The summer divisions are followed in turn by the "Start of Autumn," the day on which the temperature begins to cool; "White Dew," when the moisture congeals to frost; the autumnal equinox, the true start of the fall season; and with "Cold Dew" and " Frost Descends," the weather turns cold as winter nears. The "Start of Winter," is followed by "Light Snow" and "Heavy Snow," which mark the beginning of deep winter. The next division in the year, winter solstice, is a day of deep significance, and is celebrated in Taiwan by eating a sweet dumpling soup called tang yuan to fortify the body in preparation for the biting frost of "Little Cold" and "Severe Cold," the final two divisions of the cycle before beginning the new year.

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