Is the Major Snow solar term about heavy snow?
The Major Snow solar term does not necessarily mean heavy snow. The Major Snow solar term is a climatic concept, representing the climatic characteristics during the period of the Major Snow solar term, that is, temperature and precipitation. The solar term "Major Snow" and the weather "heavy snow" have different meanings. In fact, the snow during the Major Snow solar term is often not as heavy as that during the Minor Snow solar term, and the solar term with the heaviest snowfall throughout the year is not the Minor Snow or Major Snow solar terms.Major Snow is the 21st solar term in the 24 solar terms, and the third solar term in winter. It points to the heavenly stem and earthly branch "Gui", and the sun reaches 255 degrees of the ecliptic, and the time of the solar term is from December 6th to 8th every year. The Major Snow solar term marks the beginning of the Zi month in the stem-branch calendar, signifying the official start of the middle winter season.
Is the Winter Solstice after the Major Snow solar term?
The Winter Solstice comes after the Major Snow solar term.Start of Winter: The sun is at 225 degrees of the ecliptic, and the solar term occurs between November 7th and 8th
Minor Snow: The sun is at 240 degrees of the ecliptic, and the solar term occurs between November 22nd and 23rd
Major Snow: The sun is at 255 degrees of the ecliptic, and the solar term occurs between December 6th and 8th
Winter Solstice: The sun is at 270 degrees of the ecliptic, and the solar term occurs between December 21st and 23rd
Minor Cold: The sun is at 285 degrees of the ecliptic, and the solar term occurs between January 5th and 7th
Great Cold: The sun is at 300 degrees of the ecliptic, and the solar term occurs between January 20th and 21st
Seven-character regulated verse of the 24 solar terms
West garden plum blossoms bloom before the Start of Spring, clouds cover the sky with light following the Rain Water. The first junction of Awakening of Insects, fish leap across the river, the Vernal Equinox brings butterflies dreaming among flowers.Clear and Bright is a good time for flying kites, and the Grain in Ear is suitable for raising silkworms in the western wing. Peony falls in the Flowering of the Buds, and the jade hairpin spreads in the courtyard before the Summer Solstice.
Across the stream, the Grain in Ear brings joy to fishermen, and the fields are cultivated during the Summer Solstice. Light summer clothes are worn in the Minor Heat, and the Great Heat sees one resting by the river.
The Day of the Autumn Begins sees sunflowers blooming, and the White Dew is heard by the west tower with evening cicadas. Green gardens are drenched with white dew, and the Autumn Equinox is the time to pick osmanthus under the moonlight.
Cold mountains are startled by geese in the Frost's Descent, and red reeds are found in the riverbank at the Frosts' Descent. The Start of Winter brings drinking in the Qilin Pavilion, and the small snow is the time to recite poetry with embroidered quilts.
A secluded door is warm with a red furnace during the Major Snow, and the Winter Solstice sees the pipa left untouched. The Minor Cold sees one lying in bed dreaming in Handan, and snowflakes fall in the air when the Great Cold arrives.
