Minor Snow is the 20th solar term among the twenty-four solar terms and the second one in winter.
小雪，是二十四节气中的第 20 个节气，冬季第 2 个节气。 It usually falls on November 22nd or 23rd in the Gregorian calendar every year. The arrival of Minor Snow indicates that the weather will become colder and colder and the precipitation will gradually increase. During this period, due to the cold weather, the form of precipitation changes from rain to snow. However, as the cold on the ground is not severe enough at this time, the amount of snow is not large, so it is called "Minor Snow".时间一般在每年公历 11 月 22 或 23 日。小雪的到来，意味着天气会越来越冷、降水量渐增。这个时期，由于天气寒冷，降水形式由雨变成雪，但此时由于 “地寒未甚”，雪量还不大，所以称为小雪。 In terms of phenological phenomena, there are three manifestations. Firstly, rainbows disappear. At this time, the temperature drops. In the northern regions, snowfall becomes more frequent instead of rainfall, so naturally rainbows won't appear after rain anymore. Secondly, the celestial qi ascends while the terrestrial qi descends. The “yang qi” in the sky rises and the “yin qi” on the earth falls, which leads to the disconnection between heaven and earth and the separation of yin and yang. Thirdly, everything becomes blocked and winter sets in. All living things lose their vitality, and the world is blocked and turns into a bitterly cold winter.在物候现象上，有一候虹藏不见，此时气温降低，北方以下雪为多，不再下雨，雨后彩虹自然就不会出现了；二候天气上升地气下降，天空中的阳气上升、地中的阴气下降，导致天地不通、阴阳不交；三候闭塞而成冬，万物失去生机，天地闭塞而转入严寒的冬天。 During the Minor Snow, there are many folk customs. For example, curing bacon. There is a folk custom that goes "cure bacon in winter and the twelfth lunar month to store up for the winter". After the Minor Snow, the temperature drops sharply and the weather becomes dry, which is a great time for processing bacon. Eating ciba (glutinous rice cake) is also one of the customs during Minor Snow. In some southern areas, there is a custom of eating ciba in the tenth lunar month. Ciba is made by pounding glutinous rice after it is steamed, and it is sweet and delicious. In addition, there are also customs such as drying fish. Fishermen in coastal areas will start to dry fish and store dry food.小雪时节，在民间有诸多习俗。比如腌腊肉，民间有 “冬腊风腌，蓄以御冬” 的习俗，小雪后气温急剧下降，天气变得干燥，是加工腊肉的好时候。吃糍粑也是小雪习俗之一，在南方某些地方，有在农历十月吃糍粑的习俗，糍粑是将糯米蒸熟后捣烂制成，香甜可口。此外，还有晒鱼干等习俗，沿海地区的渔民们会开始晒鱼干、储存干粮。 From the perspective of health, it is advised to eat warm and moist food that benefit the kidneys, such as lamb, beef, cashews, and goji berries, to help people resist the cold. At the same time, going to bed early, getting up late, and getting more sunlight is also beneficial to health. Maintaining an optimistic and positive attitude helps to prepare for the upcoming cold winter. During this solar term, nature presents an introverted and serene beauty, allowing people to experience the unique charm of winter.从养生角度看，宜吃温润益肾的食物，如羊肉、牛肉、腰果、枸杞等，以帮助人们抵御寒冷。同时，早睡晚起、多晒太阳也有利于养生，保持乐观积极的心态，为即将到来的寒冬做好准备。在这个节气里，大自然展现出一种内敛、沉静的美，让人们感受到冬季独特的韵味。
