大雪是二十四节气中的第二十一个节气，通常在每年12月7 日或8日，此时太阳黄经达255°。"大雪"并非是说雪很大，而是指大雪时节后，降雪概率相比小雪更大，降雪范围更广。据《月令七十二候集解》∶“大雪，十一月节。大者，盛也。至此而雪盛矣。”我国古代将大雪分为三候∶"一候鹃鸥不鸣; 二候虎始交; 三候荔挺出。" 这是说此时因天气寒冷，寒号鸟也不再鸣叫了; 由于此时是阴气最盛时期，正所谓盛极而衰，阳气已有所萌动，所以老虎开始有求偶行为; "荔挺"为草的一种，也感到阳气的萌动而抽出新芽。
Major Snow(大雪[dà xuě])is the 2lst term in the Twenty-four Solar Terms and falls on December 7th or 8th every year, when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 255°. The Major Snow actually means it is getting colder, and there is frequent snowfall compared with that of Minor Snow; and it does not mean that there will be a heavy snowfall. A Collective Interpretation of the Seventy-two Pentads mentions" Major Snow lies in the 11th lunar month. 'Major' means a large scale." In ancient times, there are three pentads of the Major Snow "In the first pentad, the jie-bird ceases to crow; the second, tigers begin to mate; and the third, buds appear on sprouting." The jie is a bird, similar to the pheasant, which is believed to be aggressive and combatant. As winter progresses, even this active bird slows and ceases to crow. Though the yin is till very powerful, the yang begins and tigers begin to mate. Buds appear on sprouting, a kind of grass.
大雪时节，除华南和云南南部无冬区外，我国辽阔的大地已披上冬日盛装。东北、西北地区平均气温达-10℃以下，黄河流域和华北地区气温也稳定在0℃以下。此时，北方地区的降雪可能会持续一整天，会压断树枝、阻塞道路，俨然一片"千里冰封，万里雪飘"的北国风光。在南方，有时也会雪花飞舞世界变成白茫茫的一片。人们常说，"端雪兆丰年"。严冬积雪覆盖大地，庄稼如同盖上了厚厚的棉被，过冬的害虫会被低温冻死，给冬作物创造了良好的越冬环境。大雪时节.北方田间管理已很少，冬小麦停止了生长。江淮及以南地区小麦、油菜仍在缓慢生长，要注意施肥，为安全越冬和来春生长打好基础。
During the Major Snow season, most parts of China, except for South China and the southern part of Yunnan Province, are usually covered with snow. In the northeastern and northwestern regions, the average temperature has dropped below-10℃. In the Yellow River region and North China, the temperature is stable at below 0℃. The snow in North China may last a whole day, breaking tree branches and blocking the road. The natural scenery is"hundreds miles locked in ice, thousands miles of whirling snow". In the south, the snowflakes fly, and the world turns white. About the snow, a proverb goes, "A timely snow promises a good harvest."If the snow is very heavy, it means the next year will be a harvesting year. As the snow covers the ground, the snow melts and soaks into the soil and pests living through the winter will be killed by the low temperature. There are little field management at this time. Winter wheat has stopped growing. In the Yangtze-Huaihe Region and its southern areas, wheat and cole still grow, but in a very slow pace. This period requires fertilization, which can lay the good foundation for their safely wintering and growth in the coming spring.
【饮食】大雪节气是进补的最佳时节，可以适当多吃些牛肉、兔肉和羊肉等，像面红上火、干咳、皮肤干燥等阴虚之人应以防燥、滋肾润肺为主，可食用柔软甘润的食物，如牛奶、豆浆、鸡蛋、鱼肉等，忌食燥热食物，如辣椒、胡椒、茴香等。如果是经常面色苍白、四肢乏力、易疲劳怕冷等阳虚之人，应食用温热、熟软的食物，如豆类、大枣、南瓜、韭菜、芹菜、鸡肉等，忌食黏、干、硬、生冷的食物。
[ Diet ] Major Snow is the best season for nourishing the body. People can eat more beef, rabbit meat and mutton, which are excellent for promoting blood circulation and providing protection against the cold. Those who are deficient in yin suffering from excessive internal heat, dry coughing and dry skin should clear dryness, nourish the kidneys and moisten the lungs. They can eat soft and moisturizing food, such as milk, soybean milk, eggs, fish and so on. Do not eat hot food like chili, pepper, fennel, etc. If someone who is deficient in yang often has such symptoms as pale complexion, weak limbs, fatigue and sensation of chill, he should eat warm and soft food like beans, leeks, celery, chicken and so on. Do not eat sticky, dry, hard and cold food.
【活动】滑冰是冬季游戏之一，古时称为"冰戏"。北方严寒，河流冻得坚实，滑冰最为流行。男女经常穿着冰鞋，动作轻捷如飞。善于溜冰的多不用拄杖，技巧高超的更能做出种种花样。清代乾隆帝和慈禧太后冬月经常在北海漪澜堂观赏冰戏。南方气候温暖，冰冻得不够结实，因此滑冰的很少。
[Event]Skating is one of the winter games. It was called “ice opera” in ancient times. In the cold north, the river is frozen solid and skating is he most popular activity. Men and women often wear skates and look like a bird when skating. Those who are good at skating don't need a cane and the skating aces can even make a variety of tricks. In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong and Empress Dowager Cixi often watched ice operas in Yilan Temple of Beihai. Since the southern climate is not cold enough to freeze the river, there are very little people skating.
