Meaning of Gyeongchip (驚蟄) — the 3rd of the 24 Solar Terms, around March 5-7
Gyeongchip (驚蟄) is the 3rd of the 24 solar terms, falling around March 5-7 when the sun reaches celestial longitude 345°.
At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 驚蟄 |
| Season | 🌱 Spring |
| Gregorian timing | Around March 5-7 |
| Solar longitude | 345° |
| Saju month command | Solar-term node (節) — from this day, the Myo (卯) month begins |
| Key phrases | The day frogs wake, awakening |
Meaning and Origin
Gyeongchip means “hibernating insects (蟄) are startled (驚) awake.” It is the solar term when frogs and insects are said to wake at the first spring thunder, and the activity of life begins again.
Customs and Foods
People believed there would be no misfortune if they worked with earth on this day, so they plastered walls or built fences. They also foretold the farming year by observing the growth of barley shoots. There was also a custom in which lovers shared ginkgo nuts to express their feelings, so Gyeongchip is sometimes called a “Korean-style Valentine’s Day.”
Saju and the Solar Terms
The calendar used in Myeongli studies moves by solar terms. Gyeongchip is one of the 12 nodes (節), and from this day, the month pillar (月柱) in Saju changes to the Myo (卯) month. This is why the sexagenary cycle of one’s birth month is determined by solar terms, not by the lunar-calendar date.
Wisdom for This Time of Year
This is the time to wake the body from winter mode — one of the best moments to restart light exercise and morning walks.
Learn More
- View all 24 solar terms: 24 Solar Terms Dictionary
- Today’s Iljin, horoscope, and tarot: Today’s Cosmos (oiyo.net)
- The Saju calendar that moves by solar terms: Saju Encyclopedia
The solar terms 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 may vary by about a day from year to year.
OIYO Research Team
Research TeamThe OIYO research team structures material from psychometric scales, statistics, and academic literature. We name both the popular framing and its scholarly limits, so each guide works as a tool for reflection rather than a verdict.