Start of Winter 立冬
Lidong, or Start of Winter, announces winter's arrival as all things store away and the weather turns cold. In Taiwan people nourish for winter, eating sesame-oil chicken, lamb stew and four-herb soup to build strength against the cold.
Water begins to freezeFirst pentad
Ground begins to freezeSecond pentad
Pheasants become clamsThird pentad
Three pentads
- First pentadWater begins to freezeA thin skin of ice forms on ponds and streams for the first time.
- Second pentadGround begins to freezeThe ground begins to freeze.
- Third pentadPheasants become clamsPheasants grow scarce while large clams fill the shore; the ancients thought the pheasants had flown into the sea and become clams.
Custom
Warm up with sesame-oil chicken for winter.
Start dates
- November 7, 2025
- November 7, 2026
- November 7, 2027