MUZI MUZIChinese Matrix

Minor Snow

Closed off, winter sets in

Introduction

First snows come, the ground freezes and pickling begins

Minor Snow is the twentieth solar term, beginning when the sun reaches 240° of ecliptic longitude, around 22–23 November; temperatures fall and snow begins, though not yet heavily. Its three pentads are rainbows hiding from view, heaven's qi rising and earth's qi descending, and all being closed off as winter sets in. In the northeast the frozen soil deepens day by day and rivers begin to freeze over. A farming proverb holds that snow at Minor Snow promises a good harvest, since it keeps moisture in the soil and kills pests; customs include pickling vegetables and curing meat.

Timeline

Western Han to present
139 BCE · OriginThe Western Han Huainanzi (Tianwen xun, c. 139 BCE) sets out the twenty-four terms by the pointing of the Dipper's handle, recording 'fifteen days on, it points to hai: Minor Snow', the earliest systematic attestation of Minor Snow.104 BCE · EvolutionWith the Taichu calendar of 104 BCE under Emperor Wu of Han, the twenty-four solar terms entered the official calendar, and Minor Snow became a fixed term in it.1645 · EvolutionIn 1645 the Qing Shixian calendar replaced equal time division with the true-longitude rule, fixing Minor Snow at the moment the sun reaches 240° of ecliptic longitude, as it still is today.
  1. 139 BCEOriginThe Western Han Huainanzi (Tianwen xun, c. 139 BCE) sets out the twenty-four terms by the pointing of the Dipper's handle, recording 'fifteen days on, it points to hai: Minor Snow', the earliest systematic attestation of Minor Snow.
  2. 104 BCEEvolutionWith the Taichu calendar of 104 BCE under Emperor Wu of Han, the twenty-four solar terms entered the official calendar, and Minor Snow became a fixed term in it.
  3. 1645EvolutionIn 1645 the Qing Shixian calendar replaced equal time division with the true-longitude rule, fixing Minor Snow at the moment the sun reaches 240° 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