今日小寒

舊歲近暮

新歲即至

“小寒”一般譯作Minor Cold，是中國傳統二十四節氣(the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms)中的第二十三個節氣。

Minor Cold is the 23rd solar term of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms. For most areas of China, it marks the start of the coldest days of the year. This year’s Minor Cold starts on Jan 6.

按公歷來算，小寒是每年的第一個節氣，寒冬已至，春天便不再遙遠。

今年小寒在1月6日，正值“二九”第7天，而1月9日進入“三九”，也恰在小寒節氣內。此時節，強冷空氣及寒潮活動頻繁，是一年中最冷的時節。

不少俗語反映出人們有根據小寒天氣預測來年春天天氣的習慣。比如，“小寒暖，立春雪”“小寒寒，驚蟄暖”。

Many Chinese sayings use the weather and climate situation during Minor Cold to predict the weather in the following spring.

但寒冷的天氣，并不能阻止人們享受生活，為即將到來的春節做準備。

Still, bitter cold can’t prevent people from enjoying their lives. Here are some things that help us stay warm during Minor Cold.

小寒節氣有哪些習俗呢?咱們一起來看看，也學習下用英文講中國傳統文化。

準備過年

進入小寒年味漸濃，人們開始忙著寫春聯、剪窗花，趕集買年畫、彩燈、鞭炮、香火等，陸續為春節作準備。

During Minor Cold, people start stocking New Year goods, which include Spring Festival couplets, New Year pictures, paper-cuts for window decoration, fire crackers, incense and lanterns.

小寒美食

飲食上，涮羊肉火鍋(mutton hot pot)、吃糖炒栗子(chestnuts)、烤地瓜薯(baked sweet potato)成為小寒“食”尚。

Mutton hot pot, chestnuts and baked sweet potato are three recommended foods for Minor Cold.

俗語說“三九補一冬，來年無病痛”。寒冬時節，居民日常飲食偏重于暖性食物，其中以羊肉最為常見。

According to traditional Chinese medicine theories, people need to eat food that contains more yang energy to prevent cold from harming their organs. The yang energy in the three types of food is strengthened through their method of cooking: boiling, stir frying and baking.

此外，牛肉和各類堅果也是備受青睞的小寒吃食。

Beef, sesame, walnuts, almonds and raisins are also good choices for Minor Cold.