The traditional Chinese lunar calendar (阴历) divides the year into 24 solar terms (节气)．Major Snow (大雪) is the 21st solar term of the year. Here are three things you should know about Major Snow.
Snowy winter | The snow in North China may last a whole day，covering the ground and blocking the road. In the south，snow falls and the world turns white. There is a saying about the snow，"A timely snow promises a good harvest". |
Admiring plum blossoms (梅花) | Plum blossoms usually bloom (开花) in midtolate December in some southern cities of China，and sometimes bloom even earlier. The plum blossom，which came from China，is honored in Chinese culture for its resilience during cold winters. With the pine (松树) and bamboo，it is regarded as one of the Three Friends of Winter. |
Eating porridge | Hot porridge can help warm you and make your body healthy in cold weather. In China，it's traditional to eat red bean porridge on the first day of Major Snow and eighttreasure porridge on the eighth day of the last month of the lunar year. |
