The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into "24 solar terms". Major Snow (da xue), the 21st solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 6 and ends on Dec 20.

During Major Snow, the snow becomes heavy and begins to accumulate on the ground. The temperatures drop significantly.

Here are six things about Major Snow.

Snowy winter

Snow in North China can sometimes last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking roads. The natural scenery is described in the verse "Hundreds of leagues ice-bound go; over thousands of leagues flies snow". Snowflakes can also fall and turn the world white in southern regions of China.

A proverb about the snow says, "A timely snow promises a good harvest". As snow cover the ground, the low temperature kills pests.

Admiring plum blossoms

In some southern cities, plum blossoms usually flower in mid-to-late December or even earlier. The plum blossom, which originated in China, is revered in Chinese culture for its resilience during severe winters. Along with the pine and bamboo, the plum blossom is considered one of the “Three Friends of Winter”.

Making sausages

During Major Snow, people in southern Chinese cities, like Nanjing in Jiangsu province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Hefei in Anhui province, and Chongqing municipality make cured Chinese sausages, which are an important part of the preparation for Spring Festival.

The best meat for cured sausage comes from pork butt. The sausage should be dried in a well-ventilated and shaded location. It's ready to eat after a week. Cut off any desired amount and boil or fry it as you like.

Eating lamb

Lamb is a popular dish for Chinese people during Major Snow. It's excellent for nourishing the body, promoting blood circulation, and resisting the cold. People in Chongqing like to have potted lamb soup or stewed lamb soup with their families and friends. Nanjing residents like to stew lamb with yams or wolfberries to make it more nutritious.

Eating porridge

Hot porridge brings warmth and nourishment during chilly weather. In China, it's customary to eat red bean porridge on the first day of Major Snow and eight-treasure porridge on the eighth day of the last month of the lunar year. In addition, there are other varieties such as wheat, sesame, radish, walnut, and tuckahoe porridges.

Preventing respiratory illness

During this period, Chinese people watch for outbreaks of respiratory illness, which can be prevented by wearing a warm scarf to protect the neck and drinking water properly. During Major Snow, the drier and colder weather makes it essential to drink more water. But you should not drink too much water at once or drink cold water immediately after exercising.

Vocabulary

大雪

dà xuě

Major Snow

梅花

méi huā

plum blossoms

炖羊肉

dùn yáng ròu

stewed lamb

腊肠

là cháng

cured sausage

呼吸道疾病

hū xī dào jí bìng

respiratory illness

围巾

wéi jīn

scarf

大雪节气期间，气温大幅下降。

dà xuě jié qì qī jiān, qì wēn dà fú xià jiàng.

During Major Snow, the temperatures drop significantly.

有句关于雪花的谚语叫“瑞雪兆丰年”。

yǒu jù guān yú xuě huā de yàn yǔ jiào "ruì xuě zhào fēng nián".

A proverb about the snow says, "A timely snow promises a good harvest".

中国人在大雪节气喜欢吃羊肉。

zhōng guó rén zài dà xuě jié qì xǐ huān chī yáng ròu.

Lamb is a favorite food for Chinese people during Major Snow.

人们会在大雪节气的第一天喝红豆粥，在腊月初八这天喝八宝粥。

rén men huì zài dà xuě jié qì de dì yī tiān hē hóng dòu zhōu, zài là yuè chū bā zhè tiān hē bā bǎo zhōu.

It's customary to eat red bean porridge on the first day of Major Snow and eight-treasure porridge on the eighth day of the last month of the lunar year.