Minor cold小寒

Apple

"Do not blame the severe cold, as the transition from winter to spring occurs in January."

“莫怪严凝切，春冬正月交。”

After the Winter Solstice, we welcome the solar term of Minor Cold.

当冬至过后，我们便迎来了小寒这个节气。

It is like a bold and vivid stroke on the winter scroll,

它宛如冬日画卷中浓墨重彩的一笔，

carrying its unique charm and telling us the story of the season.

带着独有的韵味，向我们诉说着时节的故事。

一、小寒的时间 The Time of Minor Cold

Minor Cold usually falls between January 5th and 7th in the Gregorian calendar,

小寒通常在每年公历的 1 月 5 日至 7 日交节，

when the sun reaches 285 degrees of celestial longitude.

此时太阳到达黄经 285°。

It occurs during the periods of "二九" (the second nine-day cycle) and "三九" (the third nine-day cycle).

它处于 “二九” 和 “三九” 时段，

There is a folk saying, "The coldest days are in 三九."

民间常有 “冷在三九” 的说法，

Thus, Minor Cold often marks the beginning of the coldest days of the year.

所以小寒往往标志着一年中最寒冷的日子开始了，

It is a stage when temperatures continue to drop,

是气温持续走低，

the chill grows even stronger,

寒意愈发浓重的阶段，

and it stands as an important solar term in the winter season.

是冬季时节里不容忽视的一个节气节点。

二、小寒的气候特点 Climate Characteristics of Minor Cold

During the Minor Cold season, the world seems to be tightly enveloped by a chilly atmosphere.

小寒时节，天地间仿佛被寒冷的气息紧紧笼罩。

Most parts of China enter a period of severe cold,

我国大部分地区都进入了严寒时期，

with the northern regions already covered in ice and snow for thousands of miles.

北方地区早已是千里冰封、万里雪飘的景象。

The soil is frozen hard,

土壤被冻得坚硬，

and rivers are sealed with ice, losing their former vitality.

河流也封冻起来，失去了往日的灵动，

They resemble silver ribbons, lying still and winding across the land.

宛如一条沉睡的银带蜿蜒在大地之上。

Cold air frequently moves southward,

冷空气频繁南下，

one wave after another, bringing piercing winds.

一波接着一波，带来凛冽的寒风，

The wind feels like a knife cutting across the face.

刮在脸上犹如刀割一般。

Even in the south, although the cold is not as extreme as in the north,

即便是在南方，虽然没有北方那般极致的寒冷，

it is damp and chilly, making it equally unbearable.

但也湿冷难耐，

Temperatures often remain low,

气温常常徘徊在较低的水平，

and the penetrating cold lets people deeply feel the power of winter.

那种深入骨髓的凉意，让人真切地感受到冬天的威力。

Moreover, the likelihood of snowfall increases compared to the Winter Solstice,

而且，此时的降雪概率相较于冬至有所增加，

allowing many places to enjoy snow-covered landscapes.

不少地方都能欣赏到银装素裹的雪景，

The entire world becomes pure white and tranquil,

整个世界变得洁白而静谧，

resembling a snowy kingdom from a fairy tale.

宛如童话中的冰雪王国。

三、小寒的习俗  Customs of Minor Cold

1. 吃腊八粥  Eating 腊八 Porridge

Minor Cold often coincides with the Laba Festival,

小寒恰逢腊八节前后，

making the consumption of Laba porridge an important tradition.

吃腊八粥便成了一项重要的习俗。

Laba porridge is made with a rich variety of ingredients,

腊八粥用料丰富多样，

usually including glutinous rice, red beans, red dates, longan, lotus seeds, and peanuts.

通常会选用糯米、红豆、红枣、桂圆、莲子、花生等多种食材熬制而成。

These ingredients are combined in one pot,

这些食材汇聚在一锅之中，

and after long hours of simmering,

经过长时间的熬煮，

they release a rich and sweet aroma.

散发出浓浓的香甜气息。

Every spoonful of the porridge is soft, glutinous, and sweet,

每一口粥都软糯香甜，

not only driving away the chill but also expressing hopes for a bountiful harvest and a happy life.

既可以驱散身体的寒意，又蕴含着对丰收和美好生活的祈愿，

It symbolizes completeness and happiness in the coming year,

寓意着在新的一年里能够诸事 “粥” 全，

bringing warmth and blessings to all.

幸福美满。

2. 吃糯米饭 Eating Glutinous Rice In some southern regions, there is a tradition of eating glutinous rice on the day of Minor Cold.

在一些南方地区，小寒这天有吃糯米饭的传统。

People cook glutinous rice together with preserved meat, sausages, and peanuts.

人们会将糯米、腊肉、腊肠、花生米等食材一起烹煮，

The cooked glutinous rice exudes a mouthwatering aroma,

煮好的糯米饭香气扑鼻，

with the savory flavors of the preserved meat and sausages perfectly blending into the rice.

腊肉和腊肠的咸香完美地融入到糯米之中，

The peanuts add a delightful crunch.

花生米则增添了几分香脆口感。

Eating a steaming bowl of glutinous rice seems to instantly warm the body,

吃着热气腾腾的糯米饭，仿佛能让身体瞬间暖和起来，

enough to resist the cold outside.

足以抵御外界的寒冷，

At the same time, it carries people's wishes for a healthy and strong body,

同时也承载着人们对健康体魄的期望，

hoping to stay fit and successfully get through the harsh winter.

希望在寒冷的冬天能够身强体健，顺利度过这个寒冬。

3. 探梅 Plum Blossom Viewing

"During Minor Cold, only plum blossom dumplings are seen, yet no sign of spring appears on the branches."

“小寒惟有梅花饺，未见梢头春一枝。”

Although traces of spring are hard to find at this time, plum blossoms quietly bloom in the bitter cold, adding a touch of bright color to the bleak winter days.

虽说此时春的踪迹难寻，但梅花却在严寒中悄然绽放，为萧瑟的冬日增添了一抹亮丽的色彩。

Therefore, during Minor Cold, whether they are refined scholars or ordinary people, many enjoy going out to admire the plum blossoms.

所以小寒时节，不少文人雅士也好，普通百姓也罢，都有出门探梅的雅兴。

Strolling through the plum gardens, one can see red and white blossoms standing proudly against snow and frost, stretching gracefully in the cold wind.

漫步在梅园之中，看着那一朵朵红梅、白梅傲雪凌霜，在寒风中舒展着身姿，

Some are still in bud, while others bloom vibrantly, evoking admiration for the resilience and beauty of life.

或含苞待放，或热烈盛开，让人不禁感叹生命的坚韧与美好，

This also stirs a heartfelt longing for spring’s early arrival, to see the earth once again filled with vitality.

也从心底期盼着春天早日到来，让大地重新焕发生机。

Minor Cold, a solar term carrying a sharp chill, is cold yet brimming with the warmth and poetry of life.

小寒，这个带着凛冽寒意的节气，虽寒冷却也充满了生活的温度与诗意。

It is another test from nature, while also nurturing the hope of spring.

它是大自然对我们的又一次考验，同时也孕育着春的希望。

Let us, in this season of year-end cold, cherish our love for life and quietly await the return of spring.

让我们在这岁暮天寒之时，怀揣着对生活的热爱，静候春归的那一天，

Together, we can welcome the beautiful season of blooming flowers and the revival of all things.

去迎接那繁花似锦、万物复苏的美好时节。