“Severe Cold”, the last solar term in 24 solar terms, comes around January 20 each year.In this period, the cold waves from Siberia arrives in China.
When this day arrives, it’s time to welcome the Spring Festival. People get busy with buying new things, salting the meat and preparing New Year good. “Great Cold” represents the end of 24 solar terms and also marks the end of winter.
Traditional Customs and Seasonal Food
In north China, people get busy with preparing the fertilizer. In south China, people are often busy with catching field mouse. Another important day during this period is the “La Ba” Festival. “La” means the last month of lunar calendar and “Ba” means eight. People usually make porridge with 8 kind of mixed grains and corns, i.e. “La Ba porridge”, and eat it during the last month of the lunar calendar.
(Note: Some words are selected from Hujiang English and some pictures from internet.)
