The Origin of Greater Cold
Greater Cold is the last solar term in the 24 solar terms. It is the "Greater Cold" when the sun reaches 300° of the ecliptic longitude around January 20 every year. Greater Cold means that the weather is extremely cold. "Shushi Tongkao·Tianshi" quoted "Sanli Yizong": "Greater Cold is the middle one, which is above Xiaohan, so it is called Greater Cold... The cold air is the reverse extreme, so it is called Greater Cold." At this time, cold waves frequently move southward, which is the coldest period of the year in most parts of my country. The wind is strong, the temperature is low, and the snow on the ground does not melt, presenting a severe cold scene of ice and snow, cold weather and freezing ground. Greater Cold is the last solar term in the 24 solar terms in China. After Greater Cold, the solar term cycle of the new year is ushered in.
During the Greater Cold season, the average temperature in most parts of southern China is mostly 6 to 8, which is nearly 1 higher than Xiaohan. The proverb "Xiaohan Greater Cold, cold as a ball" shows that Greater Cold is also the coldest period of the year.
Customs of the Greater Cold
1. Food supplements: During the Great Cold, the weather is cold. In order to resist the severe cold, people will choose high-calorie foods to replenish the energy needed by the body. In southern China, people will eat glutinous rice, eight-treasure rice, etc. to nourish the body. In the north, warm foods such as mutton and dog meat are frequent guests on the table. In addition, some places have the custom of eating spring pancakes and drinking chicken soup.
2. Staying up all the time: Before the Great Cold comes, people will make various preparations in advance, the most important of which is staying up all the time. The so-called staying up all the time means preparing firewood, coal and other fuels at home to cope with the cold winter. At the same time, people will also install heating equipment such as stoves and heaters at home.
3. Pasting window flowers: During the Great Cold, people will paste window flowers at home, which means welcoming the arrival of the New Year. The contents of window flowers are varied, including auspicious patterns, blessing characters, couplets, etc. These exquisite window flowers not only add to the festive atmosphere, but also express people's expectations for a better life.
4. Winter swimming: During the Great Cold, some brave people will choose winter swimming to exercise their bodies and will. Winter swimming is a very challenging sport. It requires not only strong physiques but also firm wills. Through winter swimming, people can feel the power of fighting against nature and the tenacity of life in cold water.
5. Ancestor worship: In some places, the Great Cold is also an important sacrificial solar term. People will choose to worship their ancestors at this time and remember their ancestors. Ancestor worship is a traditional virtue of the Chinese nation. It not only expresses respect and remembrance for ancestors, but also reflects family unity and cultural inheritance. At this special moment of the Great Cold, through ancestor worship activities, people can more deeply understand their roots and sources.
6. Night talk around the fire: On the night of the Great Cold, families will gather together, sit around the fire, and share the joy of family. This is a traditional family gathering time, where everyone will tell stories and experiences of the year and spend a warm night together. Under the reflection of the fire, family affection appears to be stronger, and the warmth of home becomes people's most solid support.
7. Enjoying the snow scene: During the Great Cold, some places will have beautiful snow scenes. People will choose to travel and enjoy the snow at this time to feel the beauty of nature. The snow scene attracts people to appreciate and feel with its pure and flawless beauty. Walking in the snow, taking pictures, or making snowmen and snowball fights have brought people joy and good memories.
The relationship between the Great Cold and people's lives
1. Farming activities
It is cold and frozen, and there is still little farm work in the fields across the country. Farmers in the northern region are busy accumulating manure and composting to prepare for the spring, or strengthening the anti-freeze of livestock. It is also critical to strengthen the field management of wheat and other crops in the southern region, and do a good job in preventing cash crops. South China is dry in winter, and the water consumption of overwintering crops during this period is relatively small, and the contradiction between water supply and demand in farmland is generally not prominent. However, "Don't blame the sky for rain and snow in the bitter cold, and the snow will be left behind until next year's wheat." In the case of scarce rain and snow, different regions should irrigate in time according to different farming habits and conditions, which is very beneficial to the growth of early spring crops.
2. Health care
During the Great Cold season, the temperature drops sharply, people's resistance decreases, and they are prone to colds, coughs and other diseases. Therefore, during the Great Cold season, we should pay attention to health care, eat more foods rich in protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, and enhance our body's resistance. At the same time, we should keep warm and avoid catching a cold. In addition, proper exercise and maintaining good work and rest habits can also help improve physical fitness and prevent diseases.
3. Inheritance of traditional culture
Various customs during the Great Cold season, such as eating dumplings, drinking Laba porridge, and worshiping the Kitchen God, are important parts of Chinese traditional culture. These customs not only enrich people's spiritual and cultural life, but also help to inherit and promote the excellent traditional culture of the Chinese nation. By participating in these customs and activities, people can better understand and recognize Chinese traditional culture and enhance national pride and cultural confidence.
In short, as the last solar term in the 24 solar terms, the Great Cold is not only an important node of climate change in nature, but also an important moment in people's lives. In this solar term, people should pay attention to keeping warm and maintaining health care, while inheriting and promoting excellent traditional culture, so that the Great Cold solar term is full of warmth and joy.
