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Awakening of lnsects
The Awakening of lnsects usually falls on March 5 or 6. As the name suggests, it denotes the sudden awakening of animals that have been hibernating in caves and burrows throughout the winter by spring thunder. Chinese ancients made various sacrifices to the God of Thunder to pray for favorable weath...
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Rain Water
The Rain Water falls on February 18,19,or 20. The implication of this solar term is the warmer weather the rain bodes which invigorates all forms of life. Traditional Chinese medicine recommends warm winter wear in spring even though the temperature rises, becauise the volatile spring weather can pl...
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Beginning of Spring
The Beginning of Spring falls on February 3,4 or 5, and the spring ends with the coming of the Beginning of Summer. The Beginning of Spring in early February, however, also entails new year celebrations, when Chinese people munch on spring pancakes and spring rolls, a tradition known as "a bite...
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Major Cold
The Major Cold, the last of the 24 solar terms, falls between January 19 and 21. Temperatures are still very low at this time, and snow freezes on the ground. But following close behind the Major Cold comes the Spring Festival. This solar term is consequently imbued with happy expectations of family...
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Minor Cold
The Minor Cold falls between January 5 and 7. It marks the start of the coldest days of the year. According to meteorological data, the temperatures of the Minor Cold are usually lower than that of the Major Cold. There is a Chinese saying, "The coldest days are during the third nine-day period...
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Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice falls between December 21 and 23. As the founding solar term, the Winter Solstice was also celebrated as the Winter Festival or Changzhi Festival, when families offered sacrifices to their ancestors. The Winter Solstice occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn...
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Major Snow
The Major Snow falls on December 6, 7 or 8. Different from the Light Snow, which signifies only a sprinkling of snow, there is sustained heavy snowfall during the Major Snow, and temperatures drop significantly. The general decline of precipitation makes the climate fairly dry nationwide.The weather...
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Light Snow
The Light Snow falls on today. This solar term signifies the start of snow and its level. The weather is cold and dry. As northern China faces a strong cold front, the first winter snow usually falls there. As northern China faces a strong cold front, the first winter snow usually falls there a ligh...
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Beginning of Winter
The Beginning of Winter falls on today. The Chinese character for "winter" also means making an end, or finishing, which signifies the storing of harvested crops that have been laid out in the sun to dry for a few days before winter's approach. It's when small wild animals retreat...