Major Cold: coldest day, spring breeze not far away
Major Cold is the 24th and final solar term among the 24 solar terms, and the sixth solar term of winter. It occurs annually between January 20-21 on the Gregorian calendar, when the sun reaches 300° ecliptic longitude. After Major Cold, Beginning of Spring approaches, opening a new cycle of solar terms.
Ancient people believed that Major Cold represents "the extreme of cold" and "cold turning back." Although severe cold still prevails, yang qi has begun secretly sprouting underground, and preparations for spring are underway. Folk saying goes "Major Cold welcomes the New Year," and throughout the regions people are busy sweeping dust, worshipping the Kitchen God, and preparing New Year goods, as thick festive atmosphere gradually rises.
First Pentad - Hens Brood: Hens show signs of brooding, yang qi begins to stir, and life force awaits activation.
Second Pentad - Birds of Prey Hunt Vigorously: Hawks and falcons become active hunters, displaying the fierce strength and austerity of life force.
Third Pentad - Waters and Lakes Freeze Solidly: Ice layers on rivers and lakes reach their thickest, symbolizing the principle that "extreme cold must turn back."
Daily Routine: Strictly guard against wind and cold, maintain full-body warmth; sleep and rise early, welcome increasingly longer daylight; provide moderate ventilation indoors, maintain temperature and humidity balance.
Diet: Warm tonification of qi and blood, strengthen spleen and protect kidneys; recommended foods include lamb, beef, black beans, black sesame, walnuts, red dates, longan, etc.; tonify moderately, avoid excessive greasiness.
Exercise: Gentle and gradual practice is appropriate, avoid excessive sweating; tai chi, baduanjin qigong, indoor yoga, and basic strength training are all suitable; maintain regular exercise to enhance cold resistance.
Mental Well-being: Peaceful and tranquil mind, bid farewell to old and welcome new; maintain positive attitude, build reserves and make plans for the coming year.
Tail Fang and Kitchen God Worship: During Major Cold season, near the end of the twelfth lunar month, various regions' "Tail Fang" and "Kitchen God Worship" customs are widely practiced, praying that the Kitchen God blesses the whole family with safety and smooth fortune.
Preparing the Year and Sweeping Dust: Households begin major cleaning, purchase New Year goods, write spring couplets and paste door gods, filled with the festive atmosphere of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.
Food Customs and Tonification: Chicken soup, glutinous rice, eight treasures rice and other warm nourishing foods become table staples; cured meats and sausages air-dry to maturity, New Year's Eve dinner preparations are complete.
Spring Welcoming Rituals: Some regions begin preparing "Welcoming Spring" ceremonies, symbolizing bidding farewell to severe winter and welcoming new spring and the revival of all things.
Major Cold is the concluding work of the 24 solar terms, also the prelude to a new cycle of solar terms. Afterward, the sun continues moving north, daylight lengthens, yang qi revives, and Beginning of Spring approaches.
Astronomical Definition: Major Cold occurs when the sun reaches 300° ecliptic longitude. After Major Cold comes Beginning of Spring, opening the new year's solar term cycle.
Significance of the Solar Term: Major Cold is not only the extreme cold period in climatic terms, but also symbolizes the completeness of temporal sequence and the beginning of new life, embodying the philosophical wisdom of "cycles repeat" and "extremes inevitably reverse" in traditional Chinese culture.
Spring Welcoming Outlook: From Major Cold to Beginning of Spring, yang qi gradually rises, the melting of ice and snow is in sight, a new growing season is about to begin, and all things gather momentum awaiting release.
