1. It’s the winter solstice in Handan Posthouse, and the shadows in front of the lanterns hugging the knees accompany me. ——Bai Juyi of the Tang Dynasty, "Handan Winter Solstice Homesickness"
Translation: It happened to be the Winter Solstice when I stayed at the Handan Inn, and I could only sit in front of the lamp with my knees in my arms, accompanying my own shadow.
2. How could the longest night be spent sleeping alone? ——Bai Juyi of the Tang Dynasty, "Winter Solstice Night with Hunan Spirit"
Translation: How can we endure the longest cold night of the year, not to mention that you and I are both lonely and insomniacs.
3. The window is cold and shallow. Add a line to the road. You must swim by holding a candle. The copper pot has been reduced and raised last night. ——Song Dynasty Ruan Yue's "Reduced Words Magnolia·Winter Solstice"
Translation: After the winter solstice, the weather becomes warmer and there is less chill. The length of the shadow is getting shorter and shorter, and the red line measuring the sun's shadow is also getting shorter. Starting from today, the timing copper clepsydra carried during the night candle tour will also have reduced chips.
4. The slight sun has not returned at the bottom of the well, and the cold rain has dampened the withered water chestnuts. ——Su Shi of the Song Dynasty, "A Alone Visit to Jixiang Temple on the Winter Solstice"
Translation: At this time of year, the warmth under the water is about to return, but the earth is still cold, and the cold rain has wet the dry grass roots on the ground.
5. The weather, people, and the sun are urging each other, and the winter solstice brings the sun and spring comes again. ——"Little Solstice" by Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty
Translation: The solar terms of nature and the events of the human world are in harmony with each other day by day. When the winter solstice arrives, the Yang Qi begins to stir, and spring is coming soon.