The start of winter is the 19th term in the 24 solar terms and it is also the first term in winter. The hours of daylight will continue to shorten, and the height of the midday sun will continue to drop. When the sun reaches the longitude of 225 degrees on the November 7th or 8th of solar calender every year, it is the time to start winter. At this time, animals take shelters from coldness and laboring people have already stored the harvest of grain. Whether it is a good harvest or not, the harvest is a result of efforts that people have put in the whole year.
立冬，是二十四节气之第十九个节气，也是冬季的起始。从立冬开始，曰照时间将继续缩短，正午太阳高度继续降低。每年的十一月的七、八号时，太阳都会行至黄经225度，这标志着立冬的到来。在这时，动物藏身规避寒冷，经过秋收的人们也已将收获收藏入库了。不管最终的收成如何，一年的辛劳总算是有了一个结果。
As we all know, 24 solar terms have a long history in Chinese traditional culture.In ancient China, the empire would hold ceremony to celebrate the start of winter, which can date back to the pre-Qin period. In ancient time, unlike today, winter is hard to get through. So, it is also a part of the function for officials to give relief aid. Since ancient times, the start of winter solar term has been highly valued by people, and has various celebrations.
众所周知，二十四节气在中国传统文化中有着悠久的历史。在古代中国，统治者通常会举行迎冬之礼，这可以追溯到先秦时期。在古代，不像现在，冬天是很难度过的。因此，官方会发挥一部分功能：在此时提供救济援助。
To cope with the increasingly cold weather, people have the custom of eating rich and calorific foods during start of winter a long time ago. At this intersection of autumn and winter, Northern Chinese eat their beloved Chinese dumplings which sound similar to the word “jiaozi”in Chinese meaning “intersection”in English. Whereas Southern Chinese tend to eat the nourishing chicken, duck and fish. Henan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang in the folk area still have the custom that uses all sorts of vanilla, chrysanthemum, honeysuckle to take a decoction bath called "sweep scabies", in order to cure a disease and keep healthy in winter.
为了应对日益寒冷的天气，很久以前，人们就有了立冬时吃富含热量的食物的习俗。在这个秋冬的交汇处，北方人吃着他们喜爱的饺子，饺子的发音在中文中与“交子”谐音，与“相交”的“交”同意;而南方人则喜欢吃营养丰富的鸡、鸭和鱼。河南、江苏、浙江的民间地区还有用各种香草、菊花、金银花做汤浴的活动，称为“扫疥疮”，以治病，保证身体健康。
Meanwhile, when it comes to Beginning of Winter, there are many winter solstice poems being handed down. Here are some of beautiful winter solstice poems to appreciate.
同时，在这里不得不提到很多流传下来的关于立冬的文学创作。这里列举了一些优美的诗句供你欣赏。
New poetry is lazy to write with frozen pen,wine is heated by the cold furnace from time to time.
冻笔新诗懒写，寒炉美酒时温。
As early as long as the rain, deep autumn gradually into winter.
早久何当雨，秋深渐入冬。
The pond water is shallower than before, full of residual lotus. The west wind died down and the cold north wind roared in.
落水荷塘满眼枯，西风渐作北风呼。
Winter is like a spiritual practice for us. Each season has their own feature, the boom of Spring, the passion of Summer, the harvest of Autumn. However, in winter all things of creation might quiet down. This silence is the gift from the nature, endowing us with such a carefree time to rest, meditate and rethink. The whole world was wrapped by the pure snow, and winter leaves blank space for our life. At this special day, may all good things come to you unexpectedly.
过冬如修行。四时各有所属，春季的勃发，夏季的激情，秋季的收获，到了冬天，自然也该安静下来了。这份静谧是自然的馈赠，它给予我们自由地去休息，思考和反思的时间。银装素裹，冬日是生活的留白篇，愿你与美好不期而遇。
Author:Yao Yu.
Reviewer：He Yuxin.
图片来源于Pexels
Date:October 29, 2022.
Words:467
