[Explanation] The Great Cold is the last of the twenty-four solar terms. After the Great Cold, we will usher in the cycle of solar terms in the new year.
The Great Cold is approaching the New Year's Day, so there is a custom of "Great Cold to Welcome the New Year". People are busy removing old decorations, making new year's dishes with preserved meat, and preparing new year's goods.
[Concurrent] Tang Zhiqiang, Secretary-General of the 24 Solar Terms Protection and Inheritance Alliance
The Great Cold is often at the end of the year, so people are the first to clean up, make new year dishes, and buy new year's goods. Often this time is full of joy and joy.
"Dust removal" means cleaning. It is necessary to sweep away the cobwebs in the house, some dust accumulated over the year, and the dust on the beams and roofs.
"Pasting the window" refers to the window that used to have no glass and was pasted with paper. On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, (use) new paper to re-paste the window.
There are also posting Spring Festival couplets, door gods, New Year pictures, etc. These are all red, so they are also called "posting New Year's red".
[Explanation] In addition, experts said that there are many customs related to eating during the great cold season.
[Concurrent] Tang Zhiqiang, Secretary-General of the 24 Solar Terms Protection and Inheritance Alliance
At this time, the whole family will sit together and have a good meal. On the dinner table, there will definitely be a dish called white chopped chicken. This dish means praying for a prosperous business.
Glutinous rice products, it is warm in nature and sweet in taste, has the functions of tonifying deficiency and blood, protecting against cold and nourishing.
People in old Beijing have the custom of eating rice cakes during the Great Cold, also known as cold cakes. Eating glutinous rice in Guangdong’s Great Cold also uses the nourishing effect of glutinous rice.
Eating rice cakes also has the meaning of "every year is high", that is, to look forward to (have) a good luck, peace every year, and a good fortune.
[Explanation] There is a folk saying "Minor cold and great cold, there is no wind and it is cold".
[Concurrent] Tang Zhiqiang, Secretary-General of the 24 Solar Terms Protection and Inheritance Alliance
Eat some warm foods, such as beef and mutton, chicken, radishes, and walnuts.
During the severe cold period, I hope to eat more vegetables, because they can supplement vitamins, such as green leafy vegetables, cabbage, and mushrooms, which are appropriately bitter and less salty during the severe cold season.
In terms of daily life, I still go to bed early and wake up late, and I can soak my feet before going to bed at night to make my whole body slightly warm.
Winter sports are suitable for soft sports, such as Tai Chi, jogging, and table tennis. If it is outdoor sports, you should pay attention to keeping the three parts of the head, back, and feet warm.
Dong Yufei reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]