According to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar (阴历), there are 24 solar terms (节气) in a year. Major Snow is the 21st solar term of the year. During Major Snow, the temperature drops greatly. Here are three things you should know about Major Snow.
① ▲ The snow in North China may last a whole day, covering the ground and blocking (堵塞) the roads. People can see the beautiful natural scene of "ice blockading for hundreds of miles and snow flying through thousands of miles". In the south, snow falls and the world turns white. There is a saying about the snow, "A timely snow promises a good harvest (瑞雪兆丰年)." As the snow covers the ground, pests (害虫) living through the winter will be killed by the cold temperature.
② ▲ People usually lose themselves in the beauty of wintersweet (腊梅) around Major Snow. Wintersweet usually opens in mid-to-late December in some southern cities of China. Wintersweet comes from China and is greatly admired in Chinese culture for its resilience during cold winters. With pine and bamboo, it is regarded as one of the Three Friends of Winter.
③ ▲ Hot porridge can help warm you and make your body healthy in cold weather. In China, it's traditional to eat red bean porridge on the first day of Major Snow.
a. Eating porridge. b. Having a big meal with family. c. Enjoying the snowscape.
d. Admiring wintersweet. e. Making snowmen.