'Jié qì' (solar term) refers to one of the 24 traditional Chinese calendar divisions, each marking a specific point in the sun’s annual path and reflecting seasonal changes in climate, agriculture, and natural phenomena. The word combines 节 (jié), meaning 'node', 'junction', or 'division point', and 气 (qì), meaning 'energy', 'air', or 'atmospheric condition' — together suggesting a 'nodal point of atmospheric energy' tied to solar position and earthly cycles.

These terms originated over 2,000 years ago in ancient China to guide farming activities and daily life. Each solar term lasts about 15 days; examples include Lì Chūn (Beginning of Spring) and Dōng Zhì (Winter Solstice). Though rooted in astronomy and agrarian tradition, jié qì remain culturally significant today — appearing in poetry, weather forecasts, food customs (e.g., eating dumplings at Dōng Zhì), and even modern health practices emphasizing seasonal harmony.