节气小贴士 | 立冬时节，万物收藏，避寒凉

What You Should Know About The 24 Solar Terms:

When the Start of Winter comes, everything's "bundled up" to stay warm.

冻笔新诗懒写，寒炉美酒时温。

醉看墨花月白，恍疑雪满前村。

二十四节气，是中国人通过观察太阳周年运动而形成的时间知识体系。在国际气象界，它被誉为"中国的第五大发明"。“北风潜入悄无声，未品浓秋已立冬”，我们刚迎来了立冬，今日和大家一起讲讲立冬的知识。

立冬，通常在每年公历的11月7日或8日。它是二十四节气中的第十九个节气，也是冬季的第一个节气，代表着冬季的开始，为冬三月之始。

“立”，为“开始”之意；“冬”是“终了”的意思，意味着生气开始闭蓄，万物进入休养、收藏状态，气候也由秋季少雨干燥向阴雨寒冻的冬季气候转变。 

The 24 solar terms are a system of time knowledge that the Chinese devised by observing the sun's annual movement. The international meteorological community refers to it as"the fifth invention of China.""The north wind sneaks in stealthily, before the taste of late autumn arrives already winter," reads a line from a poem describing the advent of winter. We have just witnessed the solar term Start of Winter. Let's look into it further.

The Start of Winter, known in Chinese as"Li Dong," usually falls on November 7 or 8 each year according to the Gregorian calendar. It is the nineteenth of the twenty-four solar terms and the first in winter, heralding the beginning of the three-month winter season.

"Li" means"beginning," and"Dong" means"conclusion." Together, it indicates that energies begin to seal off, that everything enters a state of rest and recuperation, and that the climate changes from less rainy and dry in autumn to wet and chilly in winter.

气候特点

The climate characteristics of the Beginning of Winter

冬季，傲立不屈的红叶在冰霜的裹衬之中愈发红艳 图片来源：新华网石毅摄

In the winter, the red leaves stand tall and unyielding, seeming more and more scarlet against the crystal frost. Photo credit: Shi Yi from Xinhuanet

立冬时节，曰照时间将继续缩短，由于此时地表在下半年贮存的热量还具有一定的能量，所以初冬通常不会很冷，真正的寒冷将在冬至之后。

Sunlight hours will continue to decrease as the Start of Winter comes. Yet, because the heat stored in the ground during the second half of the year still has energy, early winter is usually not very cold. The real cold will come after the Winter Solstice (the 22nd solar term of the year that usually falls toward the end of December).

立冬时节南北方气候差异

The Weather Disparity Between the North and South around the Start of Winter

立冬后南方的“小阳春”图片来源：百度百科

"Xiao Yang Chun" in South China Following the Start of Winter. Photo Credit: Baidu Baike

在南方地区，从立冬至小雪期间，常会出现风和日丽、温暖舒适的“小阳春”天气，在民间有“十月小阳春”一说，正所谓“八月暖九月温，十月还有小阳春”。在南方初冬时节一般不会很冷，随着时间推移，在冬至后冷空气频繁南下，气温逐渐下降。 

In the southern regions of China, between the Start of Winter and the Minor Snow (the 20th solar term of the year that typically comes between November and December), there is quite often clear, sunny, warm, and comfortable"Xiao Yang Chun" weather, which literally translates as"small sunny spring" and resembles a brief, pleasant spring in South China in October. It is derived from the idiom"Warm August, mild September, and then the small sunny spring in October." The weather in the south is often mild in early winter; however, after the Winter Solstice, cold air frequently moves south, causing the temperature to gradually drop.

立冬后北方的初雪 图片来源：美篇琴心观澜

The First Snow in the North after the Start of Winter. Photo Credit: Qin Xin Guan Lan on Meipian

立冬后北方大部地区将出现雨雪降温天气。华北部分地区的初雪常在此时降临。东北和西北地区，这个时候已经是大雪纷飞的景象了，尤其是东北黑龙江地区，已经异常寒冷，这里早在立冬到来之前就已经呈现冬天景象。冷空气不断发力，也让北方地区陆续迎来供暖季。

After the Start of Winter, rain and snow will fall in most of China's northern regions. This is usually the time when the first snowfall occurs in northern China. By this time, the northeast and northwest have already received significant snowfall. In particular, Heilongjiang, the northernmost province of China, is already extremely chilly, with winter sights appearing far before the arrival of the Start of Winter. The frigid air continues to intensify, ushering in successive heating seasons in the northern regions.

节气习俗

The coustom of the Beginning of Winter

在中国古代，人们把立冬看作是一个重要的节日。古籍《礼记·月令》中曾记载：“立冬之日，天子亲率三公九卿大夫以迎冬于北郊。”回朝后，皇帝还会抚恤孤寡，并将冬衣、温帽赏赐给群臣。到了宋代，据《四民月令》记载，“冬至之日进酒肴，贺谒君师耆老”，人们往来庆贺，一如年节。

In ancient China, the Start of Winter was a significant celebration. According to the ancient text The Book of Rites— Lunar Order, the emperor personally led three councilors, nine ministers, and senior officials to welcome winter in the northern suburbs on the first day of winter. After returning to the imperial court, the emperor would also show sympathy to the widows and orphans, as well as provide winter clothing and warm caps to the ministers. According to the Scholars, Farmers, Workers, and Merchants' Lunar Order during the Song Dynasty (960-1279),"on the day of the Winter Solstice, should we bring wine and delicacies, greet and pay respects to the emperor and the seniors," and people celebrated each other as if it were an annual festival.

迎冬：拜祖先、备冬衣

Welcome Winter: Honoring Ancestors & Stocking up on Warm Clothing

立冬祭祖祭天 图片来源：人民网-文化频道

Honor Ancestors and Heaven at the Beginning of Winter. Photo Credit: People.cn— Culture Channel

《月令七十二候集解》中这样解释立冬：“立，建始也。冬，终也，万物收藏也”，即是说，此时秋季作物已全部收晒完毕，收藏入库，动物也蛰伏起来准备冬眠。

在古代，立冬和立春、立夏、立秋合称“四立”，是十分重要的节日。据《礼记·月令》记载：“立冬之日，天子亲率三公九卿大夫以迎冬于北郊。”回来之后，皇帝还会赏赐群臣冬衣，并抚恤孤寡，以安社稷。

In the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) literature A Collective Interpretation of the Seventy-Two Phenological Terms, the Start of Winter ("Li Dong") is described as"Li, the beginning; Dong, the end, when all things retreat." And thereby, at this time, all autumn crops have been harvested and stored, and animals are beginning to prepare for hibernation.

In ancient times, the Start of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn were collectively called the"Four Starts" and were considered very important festivals. According to The Book of Rites— Lunar Order, the emperor personally led three councilors, nine ministers, and senior officials to welcome winter in the northern suburbs on the first day of winter. Upon his return to the imperial court, the emperor would also provide winter clothing to the ministers and show sympathy to the widows and orphans for the peace and prosperity of society.

拜冬 图片来源：人民网-文化频道

Salute Winter. Photo Credit: People.cn— Culture Channel

在民间，百姓也习惯在此时备好冬衣，以防御接下来的冬寒。此外，还以时令佳品向祖先祭祀，祈求上苍保佑来年的丰收。据《清嘉录》记载，到了清代，立冬之日，士大夫在家拜贺长辈尊者，还互相出去拜谒。男女老少都要更换新衣，相互作揖行礼，谓之“拜冬”。

It is also common among people to prepare winter clothing at this time to protect against the winter cold that follows. In addition, people offer seasonal treats to their ancestors as a prayer for the gods' favor and a bountiful harvest the following year. According to"Qing Jia Lu," an ancient text documenting the festival rituals of Suzhou and its surrounding regions during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), on the day of the Start of Winter, literati, and officialdom paid homage to their seniors at home and also visited one another. As part of"Salute Winter," men, women, and children wear new clothing and bow to one another.

补冬：吃饺子、酿黄酒

Nourish Winter: Eat Dumplings & Make Yellow Rice Wine

民以食为天，中国人历来讲究饮食。“立冬补冬，补嘴空”，作为一个休养生息的好时节。忙碌了一年的人们，秋收冬藏完毕，迎来了冬闲。因此，要在立冬这天以美食进补，犒劳自己的同时抵御寒意，称为“补冬”。

Food is essential to the people, and the Chinese have long been meticulous about their food. The old phrase"Nourish winter at the Start of Winter by feeding empty stomachs" relates to the fact that as the temperature drops in winter, the human body's metabolism slows, and it has to store more energy and nutrients to withstand the cold. Winter is thought to be the ideal season for rest and recuperation. People who have been busy throughout the year have completed their autumn harvest and winter stockpile, bringing in the season of leisure. Therefore, it is dubbed"nourish winter" to treat oneself to gourmet cuisine at the Start of Winter while staying warm.

立冬北方习俗吃饺子 图片来源：中国网

The Custom of Eating Dumplings at the Start of Winter in Northern China. Photo Credit: China.org.cn

有俗语说，“立冬节气不端饺子碗，冻掉耳朵没人管。”在北方，人们习惯在立冬这天吃饺子。饺子是来源于“交子之时”的说法，因为立冬是秋冬季节之交，故“交子”之时的饺子不能不吃。

According to a proverb, if you do not hold a bowl of dumplings at the Start of Winter, your ears will freeze off, and no one will care. In Northern China, it is traditional to have dumplings on the Start of Winter."Jiao Zi," the Chinese word for"dumpling," is derived from the similarly pronounced phrase"Jiao Zi Zhi Shi" (translates as"the time of the cross" in English). And because the Start of Winter coincides with the transition between autumn and winter, which is also a time of the cross, eating dumplings on this day becomes a must.

甘蔗 图片来源：长城网

Sugarcane. Photo Credit: hebei.com.cn

在南方，人们在立冬爱吃鸡鸭鱼肉。在潮汕地区，还有“立冬食蔗齿不痛”的说法，意思是立冬时甘蔗已经成熟，吃了不上火，这个时候“食蔗”既可以保护牙齿，还可以起到滋补的功效。

At the Start of Winter, chicken, duck, and fish are popular dishes in South China. There is also a saying in the Chaoshan region of eastern Guangdong Province that"eating sugarcane at the Start of Winter can avoid toothache," which means that sugarcane is ripe at the Start of Winter and does not cause excessive internal heat when eaten, so"eating sugarcane" at this time can not only protect the teeth but also have a tonic effect.

立冬酿黄酒 图片来源：长城网

Make Yellow Rice Wine at the Start of Winter. Photo Credit: hebei.com.cn

在浙江绍兴，立冬酿黄酒是传统习俗。冬季水体清冽、气温低，是酿酒发酵最适合的季节。因此绍兴人把从立冬开始到第二年立春这段最适合做黄酒的时间称为“冬酿”，祈求福祉。

It is a traditional practice in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, to make yellow rice wine at the Start of Winter. Because of the cold water and low temperatures, winter is the best season for brewing and fermentation. As a result, Shaoxing people refer to the period from the Start of Winter until the Start of Spring (the first solar term of the year that usually begins in February) of the following year as"winter brewing," as the best time for preparing yellow rice wine and praying for blessings.

节气小贴士

Tips to Stay Well in the Beginning of Winter

“冬不藏精，春必病温”，立冬时节，大自然及人体的阳气都开始逐渐地蛰伏与藏匿起来。此亦阴中有阳、静中有动之意也。此季节正是人体养藏的最好时刻。

《素问·四季调神大论》说“无扰乎阳，早卧晚起，必待日光”，又说“冬时天地气闭，血气伏藏，人不可作劳汗出，发泄阳气”，强调的就是寒冷冬季，在自然的状态下，人体阳气内收，所以不要人为地扰动阳气而破坏天人合一、阴阳转换的生理功能。

人们应当注意保护阳气，不要扰动阳气，避免做太剧烈的运动。晚上最好在十点之前就上床睡觉，早晨待天亮了再起床。同时，要注意避寒就温，不要让皮肤开泄出汗，导致闭藏的阳气频频耗伤。

There is a belief in the community of traditional Chinese medicine that"if you do not conserve body energy in the winter, you will become ill in the spring." However, at the Start of Winter, both nature and the human body's yang energy begin to gradually contract and hibernate. (This also implies that yang exists within yin and motion exists within stillness.) Therefore, this season is optimal for human energy maintenance and conservation.

According to a passage in Suwen (also known as Basic Questions), the first text of the theoretical foundation of traditional Chinese medicine Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine),"Do not disturb the yang energy, sleep early and get up late, wait for the daylight," and"in winter, with the energy of heaven and earth closed and blood vigor hidden, people should not work and sweat to release the body's yang energy." Both credos underline that during the cold winter, the body's yang energy is naturally contracted and that artificial disruption of the yang energy will undermine the physiological function of the unification of heaven and man, yin and yang transformation.

People should take care of themselves to preserve yang energy without artificial interruption, as well as avoid overly strenuous physical activity. For example, it is advisable to retire to bed before 10 p.m. and wake up after daybreak. At the same time, it is critical to avoid cold and embrace warmth, as well as to avoid excessive sweating, which can lead to frequent depletion of contracted yang energy.