MUZI MUZIChinese Matrix

Major Snow

Now the snow is abundant

Introduction

Snow now abounds, blanketing the winter wheat

Major Snow is the twenty-first solar term, beginning when the sun reaches 255° of ecliptic longitude, around 6–8 December; 'major' means snow is more likely and more widespread than at Minor Snow, not necessarily heavy. Its three pentads are the night-singing bird falling silent, tigers beginning to mate, and lychnis grass sprouting. Winter wheat in the north stops growing, and snow cover keeps overwintering crops warm and moist ('wheat under three quilts this year, sleep on steamed buns next year'); south of the Huai, wheat and rapeseed need fertiliser and drainage. A custom is curing meat at Major Snow.

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 ren: Major Snow', the earliest systematic attestation of Major 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 Major Snow became a fixed term in it.1645 · EvolutionIn 1645 the Qing Shixian calendar replaced equal time division with the true-longitude rule, fixing Major Snow at the moment the sun reaches 255° 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 ren: Major Snow', the earliest systematic attestation of Major 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 Major Snow became a fixed term in it.
  3. 1645EvolutionIn 1645 the Qing Shixian calendar replaced equal time division with the true-longitude rule, fixing Major Snow at the moment the sun reaches 255° 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