Introduction: Everyone knows that there is a solar term like Lidong. From the literal meaning, we can also understand that this is a solar term that belongs to winter, but its meaning and implication are still unclear about what Lidong is for. So, what is the meaning of the Beginning of Winter solar term? What does the beginning of winter mean? Come with me to find out.
The understanding of "Lidong" cannot just stop at the meaning of the beginning of winter. Tracing back to its origins, the ancients’ understanding of “Li” is the same as that of modern people, meaning establishment and beginning. But the word "winter" is not that simple. In the ancient book "Collection of Seventy-two Hours of the Moon Order", the explanation of "winter" is: "Winter is the end, and the collection of all things." It means the field in a year The operation is over, all autumn crops have been harvested and dried, "grain has been put into the warehouse, vegetables have been put into the cellar", and the animals have been hidden for hibernation.
The meaning of the Lidong solar term
Lidong is one of the twenty-four solar terms of the lunar calendar and one of the traditional Chinese festivals; the time is between November 7 and 8 of each year in the Gregorian calendar. That is, the sun is located at 225° ecliptic longitude. At this time, the earth is at declination -16°19', and the height of the sun at noon in Beijing is only 33°47'. After the beginning of winter, the daylight hours will continue to shorten and the height of the sun at noon will continue to decrease. Chinese folk regard the Beginning of Winter as the beginning of winter. During the Beginning of Winter, there is a food custom that requires supplements to survive the harsh winter.
Li means the beginning of construction, which means the beginning of winter. Winter means the end, and it means that crops must be stored after harvesting. In China, the beginning of winter is regarded as the beginning of winter.
Folk customs at the beginning of winter
1. Eating dumplings at the beginning of winter
In rural areas, there are generally many traditional customs, which also reflects the folk culture of the countryside. Many people may know that we eat dumplings during the Spring Festival. Of course, some people may now eat dumplings as a daily routine, and they don’t have to wait until the festival to eat them. So why do we eat dumplings at the beginning of winter? There is an old saying that goes, "If you don't serve dumplings at the beginning of winter, your ears will freeze and no one will care." In the past, rural areas had poor thermal insulation, and it was difficult to have a hot meal. Many people often get frozen ears or faces in winter. In the past, ancient people thought that eating hot dumplings would warm up the whole body and prevent cold ears. In addition, many people thought that dumplings were more like an ear and thought that eating dumplings could mend their ears. Of course, this is just people. It is a kind of beautiful expectation, so eating dumplings at the beginning of winter has been passed down to this day.
2. Nourishing the body at the beginning of winter is commonly known as "tonifying the winter"
This "toning for the winter" actually has this custom in many places, such as in Fujian , because the local climate is relatively adaptable, and it is not too cold at the beginning of winter, but people also use some delicacies and Chinese herbal medicines to nourish the body. In addition, in some places in the north, there is also a saying of "tonifying the winter," but they all say that eating a lot of food Fish and meat. At the beginning of winter, the weather begins to get colder and food is relatively scarce. In order to spend a good winter, some local people will eat some big fish and meat to nourish themselves and prepare for the cold winter.
3. Welcome the "Winter God"
In ancient times, there was an allusion of "giving winter clothes to ministers and showing pity to orphans and widows." In ancient times, people would hold grand sacrificial activities. , this is used to welcome the "winter god", and it is also to pray for good weather in the coming year, safe crops for the winter, and a bumper harvest of food in the coming year. This is not superstitious. Aren't there many festivals that also have sacrificial activities? This is just everyone’s vision for a better life in the future.
4. Swimming at the beginning of winter
This custom is generally less common in the north, because the weather is colder, and both the river and the Yellow River water are cooler. In some places in the south, local people will Go swimming on the day of the Beginning of Winter. It is understood that swimming in winter can increase disease resistance. Of course, from a scientific point of view, this is not suitable for everyone, but this was also an activity that people held in the past to welcome the Beginning of Winter.