白雪纷纷何所似未若柳絮因风起 | 24 Solar Terms: Daxue (Heavy Snow)

今年12月7日，即农历十月廿三，是第二十一个节气——大雪。进入冬季的第三个节气，预示着气温进一步下降，强冷空气的到来也会使降水量增加。降雪有利于缓解冬旱，消除农田病虫；积雪覆盖大地，也会使地面及作物周围的温度不会降得过低，为冬作物创造良好的越冬环境。

December 7, or the 23^rdof the tenth month of Chinese lunar calendar, is the 21^st solar term – Daxue (Heavy Snow) this year. As the third solar term in winter, Daxue indicates that the temperature will further decrease and that the arrival of strong cold air will increase precipitation. Snow is beneficial to alleviate winter drought and eliminate crop diseases and pests; snow cover can prevent ground temperature from dropping too much, creating a favorable environment for crops to survive the winter.

视频由新华社CNC提供

Video provided by China Xinhua News Network Corporation

与小雪节气一样，大雪也是部分地区腌制腊味的时节。中国民间有“小雪腌菜，大雪腌肉”的说法，除了猪肉，鸡鸭鱼等各种肉类都可进行腌制；白菜、雪里蕻、豆角、萝卜、竹笋、芥菜、辣椒等都是适合腌制的蔬菜。

Similar to the previous solar term Xiaoxue (Light Snow), Daxue is also a good time to make preserved meat and vegetable in some areas. As an old saying goes, people should “make preserved vegetables during Xiaoxue and preserved meat during Daxue”. Pork, chicken, duck, fish and all kinds of meat can be cured; cabbage, potherb mustard, green beans, radish, bamboo shoots, mustard root, pepper and a variety of vegetables are all suitable for pickling.

四川东坡泡菜 Sichuan Dongpo pickle / 田玲 Tian Ling

虽然大雪节气并不意味着大雪的必然降临，但中国大部分地区气温已降至0℃或以下。此时北方一些河湖已经结冰，许多公园的溜冰场也已开放供人们滑冰嬉戏。

Although Daxue (Heavy Snow) does not necessarily fall during this solar term as the name suggests, temperature has dropped to 0℃ or below in most parts of China. Some rivers and lakes in the north have been frozen and ice rinks in many parks have been opened for people to skate and play.

《冰戏图》轴清乾隆金廷标绘纸本设色纵121厘米横64.8厘米现藏于故宫博物院

Ice-skating, Yongzheng reign, Qing dynasty, Jin Tingbiao, Ink and color on paper, 121 x 64.8 cm In the collection of the Palace Museum

大雪是进补的好时节。冬令进补能提高人体的免疫力，促进新陈代谢。此时宜温补助阳，可适当多吃大蒜、生姜、萝卜、大葱、羊肉、红薯、山药、桂圆、栗子、芝麻、花生等性属温热的食物，有助于御寒。

Daxue is a proper time to nourish the body as it can improve immunity and boost metabolism. It is preferable to eat garlic, ginger, radish, green onion, mutton, sweet potato, yam, longan, chestnut, sesame, peanut and other warm- and hot-natured food to defend against the cold.