大雪节气至 仲冬愈曾寒——The twenty-first Solar Term “Major snow”

大雪时节，降雪量增大，地面开始积雪，温度下降显著。民间素来有 “瑞雪兆丰年”的说法。待到白雪覆盖茫茫大地，越冬的害虫会被低温杀死。大雪当天，在中国北方，降雪可能持续一整日，积雪压断树枝，堵塞道路。自然景色可谓“千里冰封，万里雪飘”。而南方则是雪花纷飞，世界渐渐染上银色。

During Major Snow, the snow becomes heavy and begins to accumulate on the ground. The temperature drops significantly. The snow in North China may last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking the road. The natural scenery is "ice blockading for hundreds miles and snow flying through thousands miles". In the South, the snowflakes swirl around and the world turns white.

中国南方一些城市的腊梅一般在十二月中下旬开放。有时开花甚至会更早一些。腊梅起源于中国，因其耐寒能力而受到高度赞誉。腊梅、松柏和竹子一起被称之为“岁寒三友”。

Wintersweet usually blossoms in mid-to-late December in some southern cities of China. Sometimes it even blooms earlier. Wintersweet originated in China and is highly appreciated in Chinese culture for its endurance in severe winters. With pine and bamboo，it is referred to as one of the Three Friends of Winter.

羊肉性温，是中国人冬季进补的“宠儿”，对滋养身体，促进血液循环和御寒都是极好的。重庆人喜欢同亲朋好友一起吃羊肉汤锅，南京人则爱用山药枸杞炖羊肉，这样更滋补。

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.

在寒冷的天气里，一碗热粥可以温暖并滋养你的身体。在中国，人们习惯在大雪的第一天喝红豆粥，在农历最后一个月的第八天喝八宝粥，也就是俗称的“腊八”。此外，还有其他种类的粥，如小麦粥、芝麻粥、萝卜粥。此外，还有其他种类的粥，如小麦粥、芝麻粥、萝卜粥。

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, and radish porridge.