双语说节气 | 小寒

节气

月初寒尚小，

故云，月半则大矣

小寒是第二十三个节气，通常是在每年的1月5日到1月7日之间，这时候太阳达到了天文经度285度。对于中国来说，小寒就意味着气温将会进入最低时期。

Slight Cold is the 23th solar term and happens on January 5th to January 7th when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 285 degrees. In China, “Slight Cold” indicates the weather starts to enter the coldest days.

历史渊源

寒则为雪

温则为雨

天地积阴

小寒节气最初起源于黄河流域,据说早年黄河流域的农家每逢小寒,家家时兴用“九九消寒图”来避寒养生。数九计数,书法描红,既能求得消寒,也算是冬日里一种不错的消遣冶情的养生方法。

Slight Cold Solar Term was originally originated in the Yellow River basin. It is said that in early years, farmers in the Yellow River basin used the "Jiujiu Cold Relief Map" to avoid cold and maintain their health. Counting by nine and painting red with calligraphy can not only eliminate cold, but also be a good way to relax and cultivate feelings in winter.

进入小寒年味渐浓，人们开始忙着写春联、剪窗花，赶集买年画、彩灯、鞭炮、香火等，陆续为春节作准备。

During Slight 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.

“三九”指冬至过后的第三个九天（即冬至后的第十九天至第二十七天），而这段时间正处于小寒内。事实上，小寒往往是冬季中最冷的时段，注意保暖是非常重要的。

"Sanjiu period" refers to the third nine-day period (the 19th-27th days after the day of the Winter Solstice), which is in Slight Cold period. In fact, Slight Cold is normally the coldest period of winter. It is important to keep warm during this period.

小寒期间，北京的平均气温将会在零下5度左右，部分北方地区气温能达到零下30度。而秦岭淮河一线气温将会保持在0度左右。

The average temperature in Beijing during this period is around minus 5 degree Celsius and some places in north China can reach minus 30 degree Celsius. Temperature around Qin ling Mountain and Huai he River is kept at around 0 degree Celsius.

传统习俗

01

吃糯米饭 Eat glutinous rice

糯米饭并不只是把糯米煮熟那么简单，里面会配上炒香的“腊味”（广东人俗称腊肠和腊肉为“腊味”）、香菜、葱花等材料，吃起来特别香。“腊味”是煮糯米饭必备的，一方面是脂肪含量高，耐寒；另一方面是糯米本身黏性大，饭气味重，需要一些油脂类掺和吃起来才香。

The glutinous rice is not just a simple way to cook the glutinous rice. It will be served with fried "cured meat" (Cantonese commonly call it "cured meat"), coriander, scallions and other materials, which are very delicious. "Cured meat" is necessary for cooking glutinous rice. On the one hand, it is highlly in fat and cold resistant; on the other hand, glutinous rice itself is sticky and has a strong smell which needs some oil to be mixed to taste delicious.

02

饮食养生 Diet Health Care

中国医学认为，寒为冬季的主气，小寒又是一年中最冷的季节。寒为阴邪，易伤人体阳气，寒主收引凝滞。所以冬日养生很重要的一点就是“养肾防寒”。

According to Chinese medicine, cold is the main factor in winter; and Slight Cold is the coldest season of the year. Cold is a Yin qi evil, which is easy to hurt the Yang qi of human body. Cold is the main cause of stagnation. Therefore, it is very important to "nourish the kidney to prevent cold" for winter health preservation.

                                 主编 | 冉玲濛     

                                 主审 | 孙倩倩                  

                                 图片 | 国际学院            

                                 文字 | 国际学院       

                                 编辑 | 陆明慧