During the heavy snow solar term, the sun’s ecliptic longitude reaches 255 degrees. Heavy snow, as the name suggests, means heavy snowfall. The ancients said: "The big one is prosperous, and the snow is prosperous at this point." During this period, snow often falls heavily and covers a wide area.
At this time, the minimum temperature in most areas of our country has dropped to 0℃ or below. Often in areas where warm and cold air meet at the front of strong cold air, heavy snowfall or even blizzards will occur. It can be seen that the heavy snow solar term refers to the starting time and snow amount of heavy snow during this period. It is the same solar term as light snow, rain, Guyu and other solar terms, which directly reflects precipitation.
The heavy snow season is divided into three periods: "In the first period, the helis do not sing; in the second period, the tigers begin to cross; in the third period, the lychees emerge." This means that due to the cold weather at this time, the cold trumpeting birds no longer sing. This is the period when Yin Qi is at its peak. The so-called peak and then decline means that Yang Qi has sprouted, and tigers have begun to engage in courtship behavior. "Li Ting" is a kind of orchid, which feels the sprouting of Yang Qi and sprouts.
It is often said that "auspicious snow heralds a good year." Snow covers the ground in severe winter, keeping the temperature on the ground and around crops from falling too low due to cold waves, creating a good overwintering environment for winter crops. When the snow melts, it increases soil moisture content to meet the needs of crops for spring growth. The nitrogen content in snow water is five times that of ordinary rainwater, which has a certain fertilizing effect. There is a farmer's proverb: "This year you will be covered with a three-layer wheat quilt, and next year you will sleep with a steamed bun on your pillow."
Extended information
The proverb goes: "Light snow seals mountains, heavy snow seals rivers." In ancient times, around the time of heavy snow, the climate was actually not suitable for people to travel. Therefore, people in the Song Dynasty had a poem that said: "Xuanshuang and crimson snow. Scattered in the autumn forest. The west wind blew last night. It is best to sleep in the season." Nature pays attention to harvesting in autumn and storing in winter, and human behavior must also conform to the laws of the four seasons. It’s time to take a good rest this season.
However, our Chinese people have been hardworking since ancient times. Even if you can't work in the fields, you still have to find something to do at home. Moreover, the heavy snow solar term is already in the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, and the Chinese New Year will be coming soon, so we need to make some preparations for food and drink expenses.
As the saying goes, "pickle vegetables in light snow, pickle meat in heavy snow". In the old days, when there was heavy snowfall, every household in some places in Nanjing began to busy preparing cured meat, which was called "salted goods". On the one hand, this kind of pickled food is prepared for the New Year, and on the other hand, it is also convenient for preservation. After all, there were no refrigerators and freezers in ancient times.
Of course, the specific method of curing meat varies from place to place. For example, in Nanjing area, it is generally stir-fried with large salt, star anise, cinnamon, peppercorns, sugar, etc. After the fried peppercorns and salt have cooled down, apply it on Rub the fish, meat and poultry inside and outside repeatedly until the color of the meat changes from fresh to dark, and liquid oozes from the surface. Then put the meat and the remaining salt into the tank, press it with stones, and place it in a cool, backlit place. Take it out after half a month, put the marinated marinade into a pot and add water to boil.
Skim off the scum, put in the dried poultry and livestock meat, layer by layer in the jar, pour in salt brine, and then press it with big stones. After ten days, take it out and hang it under the eaves of the sunny house to dry. Qian (Qiu Bingjun: "The Twenty-Four Solar Terms of the Chinese"). A few years ago, some elderly people in the family missed the old flavor of this ancient pickled food, but unfortunately they can no longer buy it.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Heavy Snow