The traditional Chinese solar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Snow, the 21st solar term of the year, begins this year on Dec 7 and ends on Dec 21.

中国传统二十四节气的第21个节气是大雪，今年的大雪节气从12月7日开始，12月21日结束。

During Major Snow, the snow becomes heavy and begins to accumulate on the ground. The temperature drops significantly.

大雪节气期间，雪变得厚重，开始在地面上积聚。气温大幅下降。

Here are six things you should know about Major Snow.

一起来了解一下关于大雪节气的6个小常识。

Snowy winter 万里雪飘

The snow in North China may last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking the road. The natural scenery is "hundreds of leagues ice-bound go; over thousands of leagues flies snow". In the south, snowflakes fall and the world turns white.

北方下雪可能会下一整天，把树枝压断，把路堵住。这种自然景象真是“千里冰封，万里雪飘”。在南方，雪花飘舞，天地之间一片白茫茫。

A proverb about the snow says, "A timely snow promises a good harvest". As the snow covers the ground, the low winter temperature kills pests.

有句关于雪花的谚语叫“瑞雪兆丰年”。因为雪覆盖地面时可以冻死害虫。

Appreciating plum blossoms 赏梅

Plum blossoms usually flower in mid-to-late December in some southern cities of China, and sometimes bloom even earlier. The plum blossom, which originated in China, is revered in Chinese culture for its resilience during severe winters. Along with the pine and bamboo, the plum blossom is considered one of the Three Friends of Winter.

梅花通常在12月中下旬在南方的一些城市盛开，有时候开得更早。梅花起源于中国，在中国文化中，梅花因为不畏严寒而受到敬佩。梅花和松树、竹子一起并称为“岁寒三友”。

Eating lamb 吃羊肉

Lamb is a favorite food for Chinese people during Major Snow. It's excellent for nourishing the body, promoting blood circulation and providing protection against the cold. People in Chongqing like to have potted lamb soup or stewed lamb soup with their families and friends. Nanjing residents like to stew lamb with yams or wolfberries to make it more nutritious.

中国人最爱在大雪节气吃羊肉。羊肉可以很好地为身体补充营养、促进血液循环、御寒保暖。重庆人喜欢和亲友围坐在一起吃羊肉汤锅。南京人喜欢用山药或枸杞子和羊肉一起炖来增加营养。

Making sausages 制作腊肠

During Major Snow, people in southern China, including Nanjing, Hangzhou, Hefei and Chongqing, make sausages, an important part of preparation for Spring Festival.

在大雪节气，南京、杭州、合肥和重庆等南方地区的人会制作腊肠，这是过年必备的重要食物。

The best meat for sausage comes from the butt of the pig. The sausage should be dried in a well-ventilated place in the shade, and is edible after a week. Cut off a certain amount, and boil or fry it as you like.

做腊肠最好选用猪屁股肉。做好的腊肠要在通风良好的地方阴干，一周后即可食用。切下一段腊肠，煮或煎都行。

Eating porridge 喝粥

Hot porridge could help warm you and nourish your body in cold weather. In China, it's customary to eat red bean porridge on the first day of Major Snow and eight-treasure porridge on the eighth day of the last month of the lunar year. In addition, there are other varieties such as wheat porridge, sesame porridge, radish porridge, walnut porridge and tuckahoe porridge.

在寒冷的天气里喝热粥可以暖身暖胃，滋养身体。根据中国的习俗，人们会在大雪节气的第一天喝红豆粥，在腊月初八这天喝八宝粥。粥的种类还有很多种，比如小麦粥、芝麻粥、萝卜粥、核桃粥和茯苓粥。

Preventing respiratory illness 预防呼吸道疾病

During this period, Chinese people watch for outbreaks of respiratory illness, which can be prevented by wearing a warm scarf to protect the neck and properly drinking water. During Major Snow, it's drier and colder, so people should drink more water. But you should not drink too much water at once. At the same time, don't drink cold water after exercise.

这时候是呼吸道疾病高发季节，要多加小心。要避免呼吸道感染，你可以戴上温暖的围巾来保护颈部，适当地多喝水。大雪节气期间天气更加干燥和寒冷，人们更应该多喝水。但你也不要一次喝太多。另外，不要在运动后喝冷水。