MUZI MUZIChinese Matrix

Beginning of Winter

Winter is the end; all things are stored

Introduction

Winter begins: things are stored away as water and ground freeze

The Beginning of Winter is the first solar term of winter, beginning when the sun reaches 225° of ecliptic longitude, around 7–8 November. Dong means 'end': all things rest and are stored away. Its three pentads are water beginning to freeze, the ground beginning to freeze, and pheasants entering the sea to become clams. Northeastern crops and forests go into winter dormancy, the autumn work of the Jianghuai region ends, Jiangnan hurries to sow late wheat and transplant rapeseed, south China sows wheat, and everyone guards against cold waves. Customs include 'winter tonics' and, in the north, eating dumplings.

Timeline

Late Warring States period to present
239 BCE · OriginThe Lüshi Chunqiu (Mengdong ji, c. 239 BCE) records that 'in this month winter is established'; the king was told in advance and led his officials to greet winter in the northern suburb.104 BCE · EvolutionWith the Taichu calendar of 104 BCE under Emperor Wu of Han, the twenty-four solar terms entered the official calendar, and Beginning of Winter became a fixed term in it.1645 · EvolutionIn 1645 the Qing Shixian calendar replaced equal time division with the true-longitude rule, fixing Beginning of Winter at the moment the sun reaches 225° of ecliptic longitude, as it still is today.
  1. 239 BCEOriginThe Lüshi Chunqiu (Mengdong ji, c. 239 BCE) records that 'in this month winter is established'; the king was told in advance and led his officials to greet winter in the northern suburb.
  2. 104 BCEEvolutionWith the Taichu calendar of 104 BCE under Emperor Wu of Han, the twenty-four solar terms entered the official calendar, and Beginning of Winter became a fixed term in it.
  3. 1645EvolutionIn 1645 the Qing Shixian calendar replaced equal time division with the true-longitude rule, fixing Beginning of Winter at the moment the sun reaches 225° of ecliptic longitude, as it still is today.

Heritage Listings

  1. 2006National List of Representative Items of Intangible Cultural Heritage1st batch · X-68 Twenty-Four Solar Terms of the Lunar Calendar · nominated by the China Agricultural Museum · collective item
  2. 2016UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of HumanityThe Twenty-Four Solar Terms · knowledge in China of time and practices developed through observation of the sun's annual motion · collective inscription