Hey there! Have you ever heard of Minor Cold? In China, it’s called Xiaohan (pronounced ‘shiao-han’), and it’s one of the 24 special solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar. Even though it’s super chilly outside, Minor Cold signals that spring is just around the corner! 🌸
Brrrr… It’s Cold!
During Minor Cold, the weather is usually the coldest of the year. But don’t worry! This chilly time also means that winter is starting to end, and soon, flowers will begin to bloom. 🌺
Getting Ready for the Chinese New Year 🎉
As Minor Cold begins, families in China start preparing for the biggest festival of the year: the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival! They buy colorful decorations like Spring Festival couplets (special red banners with good wishes), paper cuttings, lanterns, and even firecrackers! Boom! 💥
The Laba Festival 🍚
Guess what? During Minor Cold, there’s a special day called the Laba Festival. On this day, people enjoy a yummy treat called Laba porridge (pronounced ‘la-ba’). It’s made by cooking rice with beans, peanuts, red dates, longans, raisins, and other tasty ingredients. Sometimes it’s sweetened with sugar. Yum! Eating Laba porridge warms you up and brings families together. 😊
Flowers in the Snow 🌼❄️
Even though it’s cold, some brave flowers like plum blossoms, camellias, and daffodils start to bloom! They remind us that spring is on its way. Isn’t nature amazing? 🌿
A New Year is Coming! 🎊
There’s a Chinese saying: “Minor Cold, Major Cold, another year has passed.” As we say goodbye to the old year, it’s a great time to enjoy warm porridge, decorate our homes, and look forward to a fresh start. Why not place a pot of daffodils on your table to welcome the New Year? 🌟
So, bundle up, stay warm, and get excited for the spring and all the fun celebrations ahead!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
