Discover these essential Chinese “chengyu” about ice, snow, freezing cold, and perseverance through hardship
The traditional Chinese calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. The Beginning of Winter (立冬), the 19th term, traditionally marks the arrival of the winter season, followed by Minor Snow (小雪), Major Snow (大雪), Winter Solstice (冬至), Minor Cold (小寒), and Major Cold (大寒).
Since ancient times, the beginnings of seasons have been celebrated as important festivals. To welcome the winter, emperors would lead high-ranking officials to the suburbs to hold special ceremonies. Ordinary people, on the other hand, would eat dumplings in memory of Zhang Zhongjing (张仲景), a famous physician from the first century, who, according to folklore, invented dumplings to save many people from frostbite around the start of winter.
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