Major Cold is the last solar term in winter and also the last solar term in the annual lunar calendar. It arrives on January 19, 20 or 21 every year when the solar longitude reaches 300°. This year’s Major Cold falls on January 20.

As the name suggests, it means that the weather is cold to the extreme. According to the long-term meteorological records of our country, in the north, the weather in Major Cold is not as cold as that in Minor Cold. However, for most of the southern China, the coldest weather still falls on Major Cold. Major Cold is also the time of the year with the least amount of rainfall. During this period, the rainfall in southern China, which is usually abundant, is only 5 to 10 mm.

In ancient times, Major Cold was divided into three phases: During the first phase, the hen can hatch her chicks. In the second phase, falcons and other birds of prey are in a state of intense predation, and search around for food to replenish their bodies against the cold. In the third phase, which is the last five days of the year, the ice in the water is frozen to its solidest.

Translated by LIU Yu