Time flies, time flies. In the cycle of the four seasons of the year, the Great Cold, as the last of the 24 solar terms, arrived as scheduled. It marks the end of the year and also heralds the arrival of the new year. In the cold season, most parts of the mainland present a winter scene of ice and snow and biting cold winds, which makes us feel the tranquility and beauty of the cold winter at the end of the year.
Overview of the Great Chill
The Great Han is the last of the 24 solar terms, marking the completion of the cycle of the four seasons of the year and the beginning of the new year. Between January 19 and 21 of the Gregorian calendar, when the sun reaches 300 degrees of ecliptic longitude, it is a great cold. The location of the Great Han in the lunar calendar is in the last month of winter, which is the coldest period of the year, hence the name "Great Han".
According to the "Three Rites and Righteous Sects" quoted in the "Time Granting General Examination and Heavenly Time", it is recorded: "The big cold is the middle, and the upper form is in the small cold, so it is called the big cold, and the reverse pole of the qi, so it is called the big cold." This shows that the Great Chill is a solar term that indicates the degree of coldness of the weather, and it is the last solar term of the year after the Minor Chill. During this period, the climate is characterized by the coldest temperatures, with frequent cold waves moving southward, and severe cold scenes such as strong winds, low temperatures, and snow on the ground in most areas.
The Great Cold Weather
The Three Phases of the Great Cold are the three stages used in the ancient lunar calendar of the mainland to describe some specific phenomena in nature during the Great Cold solar term, which reflect the changes of the seasons and the characteristics of the climate:
Wait for the milk: The beginning of this stage means that the hen can start to hatch the chicks. In ancient times, it was observed that with the arrival of the Great Cold Solar Term, the sunshine hours gradually increased, and the increase in light prompted hens to start laying eggs for reproduction. Therefore, the term "chicken milk" is used to refer to the reproductive behavior of chickens during the great cold solar term.
2. Signs of birds: Signs of birds, also known as eagles and falcons, refer to some ferocious birds, such as eagles and falcons. During the Great Cold Season, these birds are in a state of extreme predation ability. Due to the cold weather, they need more food to replenish their energy and withstand the cold. As a result, they will hunt more aggressively and behave more ferociously and swiftly.
Three-Waiting Waters and Abdomen: This stage describes the ice state of a lake or body of water. During the Great Cold Season, when the temperature is extremely low, the ice on the lake or surface of the water will freeze very solid, even all the way to the middle of the water. At this time, the ice is thick enough that people can even walk or skate on it. This phenomenon is particularly common in areas north of the Yellow River.
The Three Seasons of the Great Cold are not only descriptions of natural phenomena, they also reflect the ancient people's keen observation of seasonal changes and deep understanding of natural laws.
Climatic characteristics of the Great Cold
The Great Cold marks the arrival of the coldest period of the year, and its climatic characteristics are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
Extremely low temperatures: During the Great Cold, temperatures in most parts of the continent drop to their lowest point of the year. Especially in the north, temperatures can drop below -10 degrees Celsius or even lower. In the south, although the temperature is relatively high, cold weather can also occur, especially in the alpine regions.
More rain and snow: During the Great Cold, rain and snow will occur in most parts of the mainland due to the frequent southward movement of cold air. Especially in the north, heavy snowfall or blizzards may occur. In the south, although the rainfall was slightly higher than in the previous period, it was still relatively dry overall.
Gale cooling: During the cold season, the atmospheric circulation is relatively stable, but every 20 days or so, there will be a wide range of temperature adjustments, often accompanied by strong winds and cooling phenomena. This weather change can have an impact on transportation, agriculture and people's lives.
Permafrost depth is maximum: During the great cold, the moisture in the soil freezes due to the effects of low temperatures, forming frozen soil. At this time, the depth of the permafrost reaches its maximum value of the year, which can reach 30 to 40 centimeters.
Frequent cold waves: During the Great Cold, the frequency of cold waves moving south is high, which is also a characteristic of the continent's winter climate. The southward movement of the cold wave will cause the temperature to plummet and the wind to increase, causing inconvenience to people's lives.
Increased sunlight time: Although the weather is cold during the Great Cold, the sun's exposure time gradually increases. This provides better growing conditions for overwintering crops such as winter wheat.
In general, the climate during the cold period is characterized by cold, heavy snow, dryness, strong wind, low temperature, etc., which determines that special attention needs to be paid to cold protection and warmth during this period, and various protective measures should be taken in agriculture and life.
Great cold customs
In the cold season, there are many folk customs and activities, not only the festive atmosphere that predicts the coming Spring Festival, but also the obedience and awe of the laws of nature. Here are some of the main customs and activities during the Great Winter:
Dust removal: Dust removal during the cold season, also known as cleaning, is a traditional household cleaning activity. This is not only to welcome the arrival of the new year, but also a ritual that symbolizes the exorcism of the old and the welcome of the new. Usually, this event is scheduled on the 23rd or 24th day of the lunar month, which is believed to sweep away bad luck for the year and bring good luck for the year to come.
Pasting windows: Dusting is accompanied by pasting windows, which is the tradition of pasting windows with new paper. Pasting windows can not only make the home look new, but also have the meaning of warding off evil spirits and avoiding disasters. Some people will also cut auspicious patterns and paste them on the windows, which is both beautiful and auspicious.
Tail Tooth Festival: The tail tooth festival is a custom in some parts of the south, especially in places where commerce is developed. On this day, merchants will hold a ceremony to worship the land lord and thank the land lord for his protection over the past year. The year-end festival is usually held on the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month, when families prepare a sumptuous feast, and in enterprises, the boss will entertain employees to express their gratitude and encouragement.
Glutinous food: In the cold season, the ancients had the custom of eating glutinous rice food. Glutinous rice is considered an ideal ingredient in winter due to its unique taste and nutrition. People make a variety of glutinous rice foods such as rice cakes, eight-treasure rice, etc., to add to the festive atmosphere.
Drinking congee: Drinking laba congee is another ancient tradition. Laba porridge is made from rice, beans, dates, lotus seeds, peanuts and other ingredients, which are rich in nutrients, which can not only nourish the body, but also imply good wishes for the coming year.
Tooth Offerings: Tooth offerings were originally a ritual to worship the land lords, but later evolved into a dietary custom. On the 23rd or 24th day of the lunar month, people make tooth offerings, and the whole family gathers to share the food, which heralds the arrival of the new year.
In addition, there are some other activities during the cold season, such as weddings, markets, baths, etc., which are to welcome the arrival of the New Year and express the yearning and pursuit of a better life.
epilogue
As the last solar term of winter, the great cold carries the cold and severe cold of winter, and also gives birth to the vitality and hope of spring. Let's feel the charm of the great cold in this last winter time, and at the same time look forward to the arrival of spring and welcome the good times of the new year.