Major snow is the twenty-first of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms, which means "Big, Sheng". By this time the snow is in full bloom." Snowfall at this time is not necessarily the heaviest, but the chances of snowfall are gradually increasing. During Major Snow, the snow becomes heavy and begins to accumulate on the ground. The temperature drops significantly.
大雪是中国传统二十四节气中的第二十一个节气，意为“大者，盛也。至此而雪盛矣。” 此时的降雪量并不一定是最大的，但降雪的几率在逐渐增大。大雪时节，降雪量增大，地面开始积雪，温度下降显著。
There is a folk saying that "A timely snow promises a good harvest". When snow covers the land, wintering pests will be killed by the low temperature. During heavy snowfalls, snow covers the ground and creates a favorable overwintering environment for crops by protecting them from insects. When the snow melts, it also increases the moisture content and nitrogen in the soil.
民间素来有 “瑞雪兆丰年”的说法。待到白雪覆盖茫茫大地，越冬的害虫会被低温杀死。在大雪时节，积雪覆盖大地，可以防止农作物受虫子侵害为其创造良好的越冬环境。待积雪融化时，还可以增加土壤的水分含量和氮素。
The snow in North China may last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking the road. The natural scenery is "ice blockading for hundreds miles and snow flying through thousands miles". In the South, the snowflakes swirl around and the world turns white.
大雪当天，在中国北方，降雪可能持续一整日，积雪压断树枝，堵塞道路。自然景色可谓“千里冰封，万里雪飘”。而南方则是雪花纷飞，世界渐渐染上银色。
In ancient times, there are in the snowy season to hide the custom of ice sculpture, the literati had the branches of the new snow swept down the practice of tea, and in the north and other areas of ice skating, snowman, skiing, and snowball outdoor activities and eat caramel, eat mutton, drink mutton soup custom. Lu northern area is to drink red sticky porridge custom, Nanjing and other areas at this time began to cure meat, and air-dried vegetables, this is the "winter seal wind cured, stored to winter" folk customs.
古代有在大雪时节藏冰雕的习俗，文人雅士则有将枝头新雪扫下煮茶的做法，在北方等地区还有滑冰、堆雪人、滑雪及滚雪球的户外活动以及吃饴糖、食羊肉、喝羊汤的习俗。鲁北地区则有喝红黏粥的习俗，南京等地区这时开始腌肉、风干蔬菜，这便是“冬肭风腌，蓄以御冬”的民间习俗。
While enjoying the snow, do not forget to pay attention to their health. One should keep warm: after the snowy season, the weather is cold, and easy to evil attack, should do a good job of preventing cold measures to avoid damage to the body's yang qi, cold, and morbidity. Focus on the head, and abdominal warmth. Secondly, it is appropriate to regulate the spirit, winter is easy to put people in a low state of mind and body. The best way to change the low mood is to activity, jogging, dancing, tai chi, eight brocade, etc. are to eliminate winter boredom, and maintenance of the spirit of medicine. The amount of activity to a slight sweat is appropriate, avoid sweating a lot. Three should be complementary, cold and dry in winter, it is appropriate to warm yang to cold, nourishing yin to dry, and at this time, complementary is also beneficial to the next year's Yang Qi rise. But pay attention to moderation is appropriate, not too complimentary.
在欣赏雪景的同时，不要忘了注意自身健康。一宜保暖：大雪节气后，天气寒冷，易受寒邪侵袭，应做好防寒措施，避免人体阳气受损、感寒而发病。重点要注意头部、腹部保暖。二宜调神，冬天易使人身心处于低落状态。改变情绪低落的最佳方法就是活动，慢跑、跳舞、太极拳、八段锦等都是消除冬季烦闷、保养精神的良药。活动量以微微出汗为宜，避免大量出汗。三宜进补，冬季寒冷干燥，宜温补阳气以御寒，滋补阴气以润燥，且此时进补也有益于来年阳气的升发。但注意适度为宜，不可过补。
Author: Zhao Xiuran
Date: December 10, 2023
