The Great Snow Solar Term: Colorful Folk Customs and Mood Regulation
Time flies by, and it's once again the annual Great Snow solar term, as the third solar term of winter, typically falling between December 6th and 8th on the Gregorian calendar. As the Great Snow solar term arrives, it seems as if a layer of pure white curtain is slowly unveiled upon the earth and the sky, entering a world wrapped in silver attire. Most regions of China have already adorned themselves in winter's finery, ready to face the test of winter. Did you know? This solar term also preserves a rich and diverse, deeply profound traditional folk customs and health wisdom. This article will share them with you!
Witnessing the River Freeze
After the Great Snow, rivers in the northern regions gradually freeze结冰(jié bīng), creating a spectacular sight of frozen rivers. "Miles of ice sealing, endless snow drifting," at this time, the Yellow River, Songhua River, and other large rivers have their surfaces covered with thick layers of ice, resembling a silver dragon winding through the earth. People flock to the riverside to admire this magnificent natural spectacle, feeling the grand power of nature.
结冰 (jié bīng), verb, freeze
Examples:
- The lake freezes in winter.
这个湖在冬天结冰。
zhè gè hú zài dōng tiān jié bīng 。 - The water will freeze when it's very cold.
天气很冷的时候水会结冰。
tiān qì hěn lěng de shí hòu shuǐ huì jié bīng 。
During this joyful time of the frozen river, how can one miss the amusing ice activities? Ice skating is undoubtedly one of the most popular activities.
Look at those agile young people, gliding over the ice surface with ice skates as graceful as swallows, spinning and jumping at times, leaving behind beautiful arcs as if performing a silent dance on the ice.
For children, riding an ice sled is their favorite. The small ice sled carries endless joy for children. Seated on the ice sled, they wave the ice picks with their hands, plunging them forcefully into the ice surface, causing the sled to rush across the ice like an arrow shot from a bow. The crisp laughter echoes on the ice, resembling the most melodious notes of winter.
During the Great Snow solar term, the frozen river surface becomes a natural ice skating rink for people. Whether professional skaters or beginners, they can all find their own enjoyment here. It has long been an indispensable part of winter life for northerners, with a profound and extensive popular foundation.
Drinking Sweet Potato Congee粥(zhōu)
粥 (zhōu), noun, congee
Examples:
- I like to have congee for breakfast.
我喜欢早餐喝粥。
wǒ xǐ huān zǎo cān hē zhōu 。 - She cooked some delicious congee.
她煮了一些美味的粥。
tā zhǔ le yī xiē měi wèi de zhōu 。
On this cold day of the Great Snow solar term, the warm aroma of sweet potato congee can often be smelled drifting from the kitchens of households in northern Shandong. Family members gather around the steaming stove, waiting for the bubbling sweet potato congee in the pot.
Once the congee is cooked, a bowl is filled, gently blown a few times, taken into the mouth, and the delicious taste instantly spreads on the taste buds. The softness of sweet potatoes combined with the fragrance of rice congee harmoniously merge, each spoonful rich in nutrients, capable of dispelling the body's cold, filling the stomach, and providing immense satisfaction.
For many out-of-town travelers, sweet potato congee is an unforgettable taste no matter where they go. In the cold days of the Great Snow, a bowl of sweet potato congee is the warmth of home, a little happiness of life.
Eating Nougat
In memory of Wenzhou streets, at this time, a group of lovely "sugar sellers" will appear. They carry poles, with jars of nougats hanging at both ends of the pole, holding a small hammer and an iron plate in their hands. Accompanied by the clinking sound, children are allured by this sweet call.
Children, like a group of little greedy cats, eagerly bring out copper coins from home or their cherished little items, and joyfully run to the "sugar sellers" to exchange for nougats.
The golden hue of nougats emanates a tempting sweet fragrance. It is the most representative taste of the Wenzhou Great Snow solar term, satisfying people's craving for sweetness on chilly winter days, adding a unique warmth to the mundane life.
Regulating Emotions for Winter Mood Health
In winter, it seems as if nature quietly slows down the clock, the sunlight becoming unusually brief. The weather grows colder, and the chilling winds howl past. In such an environment, a stifling atmosphere quietly spreads, causing many people to easily fall into a low mood, sinking into depression.
Therefore, emotional regulation during the Great Snow solar term has become a key element of health preservation. Everyone should strive to keep their mood like the warmth of winter sun, maintaining comfort, optimism, and cheerfulness.
It's beneficial to socialize more frequently with friends and family, participating in various social activities. Let the pressures and negative emotions gradually dissipate in this lively atmosphere.
If you prefer staying indoors, carefully arrange a few pots of vibrant green plants, such as spider plants, with their drooping green leaves seemingly dripping with life, as if telling the tale of resilience. Or place a bottle of charming and dewy flowers, like bright red carnations, instantly illuminating the entire room with vivid colors, injecting vitality and energy into life, brightening one's mood along with it.