Dàhán
Major Cold
Solar Term · Jan 20–21
The Essence of the Season
Dàhán is the final chapter of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms; when cold reaches its extreme, it becomes the prelude to spring’s return.
Folk Customs
When a solar term settles into daily life, it becomes a shared ritual for the Chinese people:
Seasonal CustomsWeiya (Year-End Banquet)Preparing New Year GoodsClearing Out the Old for the New
Farm Work of the Season
Bitter cold closes the year; farmwork pauses for manure stockpiling and tool repairs, the last preparations before spring sowing.
Cultural Significance
Dàhán is more than a single day; it is a coordinate our ancestors set within heaven and earth—a reminder of when to sow, when to harvest, and when to quiet the mind.
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