According to the Chinese lunar calendar, winter months include solar terms(节气): Lidong(the start of winter), Xiaoxue(minor snow), Daxue(major snow ), Dongzhi(winter solstice), Xiaohan(minor cold) and Dahan(major cold).
Lidong(in November) is the beginning of winter. On this day, after a year of hard work people are happy to have a rest and spend more time with their family. The northern part of China celebrates Lidong as the small Spring Festival. People have dumplings and mutton soup.
Xiaoxue(in November) and Daxue(in December) come after Lidong. During Xiaoxue, northern China can expect snow and temperatures slowly fall below zero degree. Daxue means even more snow and a bigger temperature drop.
When Dongzhi(in December) comes, it brings the shortest day of the year and the longest night. Many places can expect the coldest weather. In ancient(古代的) times, people would start counting "nine cold periods"(数九寒天) from Dongzhi. Every cold period has nine days. They believed that after 81 cold days, spring would arrive.
Xiaohan(in January) usually brings the lowest temperature of the year. Finally, during Dahan(in January), the cold weather fills the fields with snow. All Chinese people are ready to welcome the Chinese New Year after Dahan. The Spring Festival, China's most important festival, falls at this time.
