Meaning of Chubun (秋分) — the 16th of the 24 Jeolgi, around September 22-24
Chubun (秋分) is the 16th of the 24 Jeolgi. It falls around September 22-24, when the sun reaches 180° of ecliptic longitude.
At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 秋分 |
| Season | 🍂 Autumn |
| Gregorian timing | Around September 22-24 |
| Solar ecliptic longitude | 180° |
| Saju monthly command | Mid-qi (中氣) — the middle of the month |
| Key themes | Balance of night and day, harvest |
Meaning and Origins
Chubun is the day when the sun crosses the equator again and the lengths of night and day become equal. From this day onward, the nights begin to grow longer — it is the threshold into the season of gathering and storing.
Customs and Foods
In the fields, rice harvesting begins, and mushrooms come into season. In old royal courts, rites were also offered to the Star of Longevity (老人星) to pray for long life.
Saju and the Jeolgi
Chubun marks the mid-qi (中氣), the middle point of the month. In Myeongri, the boundary of the month pillar (月柱) is based on the 12 seasonal nodes (節), while the mid-qi is read as the time when that month’s energy becomes most concentrated.
Wisdom for This Time of Year
If Chunbun is the balance of beginning, Chubun is the balance of gathering — count this year’s harvest and look for what deserves gratitude.
Learn More
- See all 24 Jeolgi: 24절기 사전
- Today’s iljin, astrology, and tarot: 오늘의 우주 (oiyo.net)
- A saju calendar guided by the Jeolgi: 사주 대사전
The Jeolgi are a seasonal calendar that divides the sun’s path into 24 parts. This is a traditional explanation based on the climate of the Korean Peninsula, and the actual date can vary by about a day each year.
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