小寒是二十四節氣中的第23個節氣，通常在每年公歷1月5日至7日之間，標志著冬季六個節氣中的第五個階段。每逢小寒，冬季的冷空氣在天地間積壓已久，氣溫會降低很多。宋詞有云：“小寒時節，正同云暮慘，勁風朝烈”，形象地描繪了小寒時節天氣寒冷的景象。

Xiaohan， or the Minor Cold， the 23rd of the 24 solar terms， typically falls between the 5th and 7th of January on the Gregorian calendar； it marks the fifth phase of winter’s six solar terms. During this period， the cold air which has been building up throughout the season reaches a peak， causing a significant drop in temperature. A line from a Song Dynasty poem vividly captures the scene： “During Minor Cold， the evening clouds grow gloomier， and the morning winds bite sharper.” This is a perfect description of the frosty， wintry vibe of this time of year.

小寒時節緊隨冬至而來，是謂：“凄凄歲暮風，翳（yì）翳經日雪。”天寒地凍，風雪交加，此時人們便熬煮臘八粥來補養身體。臘八粥的原料包含小米、大米、玉米、薏米、紅棗、蓮子、花生、桂圓及各種豆類。臘八粥不僅營養成分豐富，更是將一年辛勤勞作的谷物匯聚在一碗粥里。小寒時節，一碗熱騰騰的臘八粥，暖身更暖心，寄托著人們對來年豐收的期許和對未來生活的美好祝愿。

Xiaohan arrives straight after Dongzhi， as described in the lines： “Chilling winds close out the year， and snow veils the days in gloom.” This is a time of biting cold， with snow and wind often occurring in tandem. To maintain warmth and nourishment，people traditionally prepare Laba porridge， a hearty dish made from a variety of ingredients such as millet， rice， corn， barley， red dates， lotus seeds， peanuts， longan， and various beans. Not only is Laba porridge packed with nutrients， but it also represents the fruits of a year’s hard work， combining the grains harvested over the seasons in one comforting bowl. During the Xiaohan period， a steaming bowl of this porridge does more than warm the body； it also warms one’s heart， embodying hopes for a bountiful harvest and blessings for a brighter year ahead.

在中國古代，人們以五日為一候，三候為一個節氣，每個候期都有特定的花卉盛開，標志著時令的更迭。小寒節氣前后，各色的梅花在冬日給人們帶來無盡的意趣。因此，小寒時節賞梅便成為一種傳統。古時候人們計算冬至后八十一日的計時法—梅花圖式的“九九消寒圖”，便是由小寒賞梅衍生而來：畫一枝素梅，枝上畫九朵梅花，每朵梅花有九個花瓣，每個花瓣代表一天。每過一天，將一片花瓣染上顏色，全部染完，意味著春日即將到來，體現了人們熬冬盼春的 心情。

In ancient China， time was divided into fiveday periods called hou， with three hou comprising a solar term； each hou was associated with a specific blooming flower， marking the seasonal changes. Around the time of Xiaohan， plum blossoms often grace the winter landscape， lending a touch of elegance and inspiration to the frosty days； admiring the plum blossoms during the Xiaohan period became a cherished tradition. In the past， people even created a unique way to track the 81 days following Dongzhi， known as the “NineNine Plum Blossom Chart.” This chart featured a simple plum tree drawn with nine blossoms， each containing nine petals. Each petal represented a single day， with one petal being coloured in as the days passed. Once all the petals were filled in， this signalled that spring was just around the corner. This charming practice， borne of the tradition of appreciating plum blossoms during the Xiaohan period， reflects the hope and anticipation of enduring winter and welcoming the arrival of spring.

小寒雖天氣寒冷，萬物枯寂，但天地間已生機初現。《元夕》詩云：“小寒料峭，一番春意換年芳。”小寒三候：一候雁北鄉，指大雁開始由南向北遷徙；二候鵲始巢，指喜鵲冒著寒潮開始筑巢迎春；三候雉始鳴，指野雞感覺到即將到來的春的氣息，開始鳴叫。故雖然小寒節氣天氣寒冷，但是大自然的生靈卻能在冰天雪地之中感知到天地間的春意萌動。

Even though Xiaohan brings chilly weather and a world seemingly at rest， the first signs of life stirring are already felt in nature. As a line from the poem Lantern Festival Night puts it： “Minor Cold， although brisk， hints at spring’s return and a year’s renewal.” The three hou during the Xiaohan period are marked by three natural phenomena. In the first hou， wild geese begin their return journey north， signalling the end of their southern stay. During the second hou， magpies begin to build their nests， braving the cold as they prepare for the arrival of spring， and during the third hou， pheasants begin to crow， sensing the approaching spring in the air. Therefore， despite the season’s biting chill， the creatures of nature can already feel the first whispers of spring awakening， even amidst the frozen landscape.