大寒 Dà Hán: Major Cold

January 19, 2024

January 20th through February 3rd marks the time of大寒 Dà Hán, or Major Cold, the 24th and last term in the Ancient Chinese solar calendar.

大寒 Dà Hán: Major Cold

January 20th through February 3rd marks the time of大寒 Dà Hán, or Major Cold, the 24th and last term in the Ancient Chinese solar calendar, which means that the next term will start a new annual cycle.

大寒 Dà Hán, or Major Cold is also the last of the winter terms. Some of the Northern Hemisphere will experience the lowest temperatures of the year during Major Cold.

Major Cold will begin when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 300° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 315°. This solar term is known for its rain, snow and icy cold weather.

Winter According to The Ancients

Since ancient times the Chinese made sure they had sesame stalks stored during the period of Major Cold. The stalks were later placed on the floor and the children of each family were asked to crush them with their feet on 除夕 Chú Xī New Year’s Eve while wishing for a safe and sound year.

“Rise joint by joint like sesame flowers on the stem.” -which means “making steady progress in thought, studies or skills”
~ Chinese Proverb

As Major Cold is the last winter term and the last term of the entire cycle, for the Chinese people it means that a new year will commence shortly and it is time to start preparations for all the upcoming festivities, celebrations and the fast approaching season of spring!

“A new year begins after major cold.”
-Chinese Proverb

Winter Indications

It is important not to rush things and to allow the cycle to fully finish and the body to fully complete its process. Patience is key here. Continue guarding your body from the cold and avoid overexerting yourself with any physical projects.

Expend less and store more energy.

Go to bed early and get up late, which will in turn help you with a smooth and invigorating transition into Spring when it is time.

Remember to get your sunlight and oxygen during the safe times. This time of year often promotes excessive dryness – drink your water to guard against dehydration!

Keep practicing your Dao Yin Exercises. Low impact, high energy = lasting results! This will maintain smooth circulation of Qi and Blood in the body.

The Three Friends of Winter

“即其居累土為山，種梅百本，與喬松、脩篁為歲寒友”
“For his residence, earth was piled to form a hill and a hundred plum trees, which along with lofty pines and tall bamboo comprise the friends of winter, were planted.”
-Lin Jingxi, Record of the Five-cloud Plum Cottage (五雲梅舍記)

The above is a famous writing from the Song Dynasty and the first reference to 岁寒三友 Suì Hán Sān Yǒu The Three Friends of Winter in Record of the Five-cloud Plum Cottage (五雲梅舍記) from The Clear Mountain Collection (霽山集) by Lin Jingxi.

Bamboo, pine, and the plum tree are referred to as the three friends because they do not wither during winter and in China they embody thriving during adverse conditions.

They represent perseverance (毅力yìlì), integrity (完整wánzhěnɡ) and modesty (谦虚qiānxū).

The pine is said to personify longevity and endurance. The bamboo represents durability and flexibility as it will bend but not break. The Plum Tree exemplifies renewal as it is the first flower of the New Year.

大寒 Dà Hán In Practice

Some acupoints to consider using during this time are 膏肓俞 Bladder 43 Gao Huang Shu, and 腎俞 Bladder 23 Shen Shu accompanied with 命門 Du 4 Mìng Mén to support the connection between the Lungs and the Kidneys to build immunity.

Also consider using formulas like:

右歸湯 You Gui Tang
金櫃腎氣湯 Jin Gui Shen Qi Tang
停止咳嗽免疫支持湯(集) A.I.R.

As we embrace the coldest days of winter, it is an opportune moment to reexamine our connection to the deepest as well as the most superficial parts of the body.

Take advantage of the lung’s connection to the skin and the kidney’s association with the bone marrow.

This would be most the most opportunistic time to capitalize on the relationship between the lung and kidneys as we move out of the year of the Water Rabbit and into the Wood Dragon.

In the realm of Chinese food therapy consider walnuts or black sesame seeds at this time to restore the body’s Jing.

May you have a beneficial exploration as you move to the most inward part of your body, exploring it introspectively.

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