The 24 Solar Terms·Minor Cold

Minor Cold (Chinese: 小寒), the 23rd solar term, begins this year on Jan 6. During Minor Cold, most areas in China have entered the bitter cold stage of winter. The ground and rivers are frozen, and the cold air from the north moves southward continuously.

Although "Minor Cold" means less cold than the following solar term, "Major Cold ", there is an old saying in China that goes, "The days of the Sanjiu period are the coldest days." "Sanjiu period" refers to the second nine-day period after the day of the Winter Solstice, which is in Minor Cold. Actually Minor Cold is normally the coldest period of winter. It is important to keep warm during this period.