Lidong, or the Start of Winter, is the nineteenth solar term among the 24 solar terms and marks the first solar term of winter. Lidong signifies the transition of all things into a state of rest and storage, as the climate shifts from the dry and less rainy conditions of autumn to the cold and freezing temperatures of winter.

Meteorological conditions 

During Lidong, the sun reaches a longitude of 225 degrees, and daylight hours continue to shorten while the midday sun's height decreases. The northern hemisphere receives less solar radiation, but the earth's surface still retains some warmth stored from the second half of the year. As there is still "accumulated heat" in the ground, early winter is typically not very cold; true cold usually arrives after Dongzhi, or Winter Solstice.

Cultural significance 

Since ancient times, Lidong has been highly regarded, and various celebrations are held across the country. Together with Lichun (Start of Spring), Lixia (Start of Summer), and Liqiu (Start of Autumn), it forms the "Four Lis", which are significant festivals for the people. The cycle of spring plowing, summer cultivation, autumn harvest, and winter storage means that winter is also a time to enjoy the bountiful harvest. On Lidong, people indulge in delicious food to reward themselves and fend off the cold after a year of hard work, a practice known as "Budong", or "winter supplementation".

In northern regions, there is a custom of eating dumplings during Lidong, as their shape resembles ears. It is believed that consuming dumplings will help prevent one's ears from freezing in winter. Additionally, the word for dumplings, "饺子" (jiǎozi), sounds similar to "交子" (jiāozi), which signifies the transition from autumn to winter.

In Shaoxing, the tradition of brewing yellow wine begins on Lidong. The clear, cold winter waters effectively inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria, and the low temperatures allow for a long fermentation process that develops a good flavor. Therefore, the period from Lidong to the following Lichun is considered the best time for brewing yellow wine, referred to as "Dongniang", or "winter brewing".

Health tips

From Lidong to Lichun, commonly known as the "three months of winter", is the coldest time of the year. People should adapt to these natural changes by focusing on "nurturing and storing". It's advisable to consume foods rich in proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals to fend off the cold, while avoiding greasy or overly rich foods and not indulging excessively.