Minor Cold 小寒
Xiaohan, or Minor Cold, marks the deepening cold, and as the old saying goes, it is often even colder than Major Cold. People eat Laba congee and nourish themselves against the cold. The winter sun is precious, so rest early and rise late to conserve strength for spring.
Wild geese fly northFirst pentad
Magpies build nestsSecond pentad
Pheasants begin to callThird pentad
Three pentads
- First pentadWild geese fly northWild geese sense the returning warmth and turn toward their northern home.
- Second pentadMagpies build nestsMagpies start gathering twigs to build nests for spring.
- Third pentadPheasants begin to callPheasants sense the returning warmth and begin calling for mates.
Custom
Eat Laba congee to warm up in the cold.
Start dates
- January 5, 2025
- January 5, 2026
- January 5, 2027