"If some customs have been carried on for thousands of years, there must be a reason. If they are not too ridiculous, I would prefer to follow the customs although I don't believe them completely," says 23-year-old sales agent Jiang Ailan.

Jiang cites the saying, "One who holds the chopsticks too far away from the tips might marry far away from home." She holds the chopsticks quite high and her friends often tease her that she might marry a foreigner.

"It doesn't mean we believe in it," says Jiang, "but it's fun to joke about it."

About solar terms

Lichun (start of spring)

Lichun, the first solar term, means the start of spring. From that day, the days get longer and warmer. It is not the same as the vernal equinox. In the ancient times, Lichun, instead of the Chinese Lunar New Year, was considered the beginning of a year. The beginning is said to predict the year. If it is fair weather on Lichun, the harvest will be bountiful, but if it rains, farmers will have to work harder for their harvest.

The folklore also applies to individuals. Never quarrel or fight with anyone on this day, otherwise the whole year will involve disagreement and conflicts.

On this day it's supposed to bring good luck to walk in an open field or park to welcome the spring. It's not a good day to go to doctors, cut hair (it's the season to grow, not shear) or shift household.

Besides Lichun, the other major solar terms are Lixia, Liqiu and Lidong.

As li means the start, xia, qiu and dong mean summer, autumn and winter, respectively.

The terms reflect the ancient saying, "plant in spring, grow in summer, harvest in autumn and preserve in winter."

Lixia indicates that summer heat (and yang energy) is on the way and the custom is to eat eggs, beans and bamboos on that day to fight the upcoming heat.

Eggs are protein and strength. Those who eat bamboo are said to have strong legs like bamboo and beans are good for the eyes because they are of similar shape.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the shape and appearance of a food represents its properties. Thus, eating heart is good for the heart, eating brain-shaped food are good for mental acuity, and so on.

Liqiu in autumn is the day to mark weight because people often lose weight in summer when it's too hot to eat meat and protein. Tradition calls for eating all kinds of meat on Liqiu.

Lidong, the start of winter, is the first break for farmers, who are busy for the whole year, following the advice to "plant in spring, grow in summer and harvest in autumn." Now it is time to "preserve in winter," especially to preserve energy. But before they start storing and preserving food, they reward themselves with a hearty meal on Lidong.

Jingzhe (insects awaken)

Jing means thunderstorm and zhe means hibernation. Jingzhe is the day when the first thunderstorm of spring awakes the animals in hibernation.

It's often around March 5 to 7. Farmers in ancient times took the day as a signal to start getting busy, as the insects have already awakened.

It's also a warning to be careful of insect pests. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is the time to take care of one's liver, as spring corresponds to the liver.

Xiazhi (summer solstice)

The opposite of Dongzhi is Xiazhi, or the summer solstice, falling around June 21-23. This is the longest day of the year. Yang energy reaches its peak on Xiazhi and yin energy begins to ascend. It's a tradition to worship the gods for good luck on this day.

Bailu (white dew)

Bailu, or white dew, indicates that it's starting to get cool and there's dew on the grass in the morning. It usually falls around September 7 to 9, when it gets chilly in the evening.

Yin (cold) energy starts rising in the universe and also rises from the dew. It starts to rain. Birds start to migrate. Farmers know it's time to put on a light jacket in the evening and get ready for the busy harvest season.

Dongzhi (winter solstice)

Dong means winter and zhi means extreme. Dongzhi is when the night is the longest and the day the shortest in the year. Days get longer after Dongzhi.

There's a traditional Chinese belief that yin and yang energies reverse when one reaches the extreme. Dongzhi is when yin energy reaches its extreme. After Dongzhi, yin energy declines and yang energy starts to rise.

In ancient times, Dongzhi was a big festival and in some areas it was even more significant than the Chinese Lunar New Year because it marks the rising of yang energy. Today on Dongzhi, many people still keep the tradition and get together with the family to eat dumplings, as they do on the new year.

Other solar terms

Yushui, or rain water, indicates the beginning of the rainy season. February 18-20.

Chunfen, the vernal equinox, means in the middle of spring. March 20-22.

Guyu, or grain rain, indicates a warm rainy season good for plants. April 19-21.

Xiaoman, or grain ripe, means grain begins to ripen. May 20-22.

Mangzhong, or bristles on grain, indicates that some grains are mature as awns (bristles) form at the end of the stalk. Mang means awn. June 5-7.

Xiaoshu, or minor heat, is when it starts getting hot. July 6-8.

Dashu, or major heat, is the hottest time of the year. July 22-24.

Chushu, or limit of heat, indicates that the hot season is about to end. Chu means terminate. August 22-24.

Qiufen, or autumnal equinox, is the middle of autumn. September 22-24.

Hanlu, or cold dew, is an indication for oncoming chill. October 8-9.

Shuangjiang, or frost descends, means it's getting cold enough for frost. October 23-24.

Xiaoxue, or minor snow, indicates the beginning of snow. November 22-23.

Daxue, or major snow, is when the snow gets heavy. December 6-8.

Xiaohan, or minor cold, is when it starts getting cold. January 5-7.

Dahan, or major cold, is the beginning of the coldest period. January 20-21.