Spring Equinox - March 20, 2006

Until the Spring or Vernal Equinox, we are in the "solar term" or half-month Jingzhe. On March 20th, which will be the vernal equinox for the Northern Hemisphere this year, it will be Chunfen(春分)and the next half-month is Qingming(清明).

Qingming(清明) is a "solar term", which can be the half-month when the Sun is between the celestial longitudes of 15° and 30°, or the day when Sun exactly at the celestial longitude of 15°. Qing Ming Jie is 106 days after the Winter Solstice, and most commonly known as Tomb Sweeping Day in English.