Like!中国节 – 小雪

今天是小雪，or Minor Snow, indicates that it could snow at any time now as temperatures drop around the country.

From this solar term onwards, a northeasterly wind will blow more frequently. The weather is cold, but not too cold. Therefore, many people forget to wear hats and scarves. This makes them more vulnerable to catching a cold. Just remember to put some more clothes on.

When we talk about dispelling cold and keeping warm, eating in accordance with the weather to warm your body is always a wise option. The aroma of baked glutinous rice cakes 糍粑 easily evokes fond memories for people from southern China. The cakes are round to celebrate a family reunion and pray for a bountiful harvest and prosperous year.  Remember, 糍粑 is best served warm in winter. Meanwhile, in some northern regions of China, people tend to eat boiled mutton 涮羊肉, as it warms and strengthens the body.

Minor Snow is the best time to start making preserved pork and preserved vegetables. Thanks to the cold weather, preserved food can be stored a long time.

Have you ever heard the cute expression 猫冬？It’s not depicting what cats are doing during winter. In fact, 猫冬 comes from a northern dialect, as 猫 means to hide 躲藏，and 猫冬 indicates passing the winter at home. As long as you’ve got enough food preserved for the cold weather, 猫冬 will bring you endless fun.  

According to an old Chinese saying, 小雪雪满天，来年必丰年,（字幕：If the sky is full of snow during Minor Snow, next year will be a harvest year." ）we can easily tell that snow really matters to many. In northern regions of China, people enjoy making snowmen in the winter.

Though it is not so common to see snowmen in southern regions, I believe people here have heard of an animated film called 雪孩子 The Snow Kid, created by 上海美术电影厂Shanghai Animation Film Studio in 1980. 雪孩子 has become one of the figures, along with other classic animated characters like Monkey King, Nezha and the Calabash brothers, in an animated short promoting the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, bringing back childhood memories for many. This short film encourages people to participate in winter sports.

小雪至，冬始俏，莫负好时光。