Minor Snow (Xiaoxue, 小雪), at solar longitude 240°, brings the first light snow in the north and is the season for curing meats and, in Taiwan, mullet fishing.
Solar longitude
240°
Type
Principal term (zhongqi)
Season
Winter
Order
No. 20 of 24
Usual dates
Nov 22
Meaning and Astronomy
Xiaoxue (小雪) begins when the sun reaches ecliptic longitude 240°, usually around 22 or 23 November. Cold air from the north strengthens enough for snow to fall, but because the ground is not yet very cold the snow is usually light and melts quickly - hence 'minor snow'.
It is the second term of winter and a zhongqi (中氣) or 'principal' term, the principal term of the tenth lunar month. The names of the solar terms reflect the climate of the ancient Yellow River valley, so Minor Snow does not mean it snows everywhere; snow is virtually unknown on low ground in southern China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The Three Pentads
First pentad: Rainbows hide and are no longer seen (虹藏不見) - rainbows were thought to come from the meeting of yin and yang; with yin dominant and little rain, they vanish.
Second pentad: Heaven's energy rises and earth's energy sinks (天氣上升，地氣下降) - in yin-yang terms, the energies of sky and earth move apart and no longer interact.
Third pentad: All is closed and winter sets in (閉塞而成冬) - with heaven and earth cut off, all things withdraw into winter.
Climate and Farming
Around Xiaoxue, snow is common across most of the northeast and northwest, while the North China Plain sees its first snow or sleet and some rivers start to freeze. A northern proverb says 'Minor Snow seals the land, Major Snow seals the rivers'. Temperatures fall markedly along the middle and lower Yangtze, with occasional cold surges. Northern and northeastern Taiwan are often damp and chilly under the northeast monsoon, while Hong Kong stays dry and sunny until a cold surge arrives.
Farm work in the north focuses on protection from frost: wrapping fruit trees, giving winter wheat its last watering and repairing animal shelters. In the south, fields remain active with winter vegetables, rapeseed and wheat.
Customs
Cold, dry air makes this the ideal time for curing and air-drying food. In many regions, especially Sichuan, Hunan and Guangdong, families salt pork, make sausages and pickle vegetables to enjoy at the New Year. Hong Kong has a saying, 'when the autumn wind blows, eat cured meats', and Chinese sausage and bacon are already in the shops.
In parts of southern China, people pound steamed glutinous rice into ciba cakes around this time; in the past these were also offered to ancestors and to the ox deity. Among some ethnic groups, such as the Tujia, families begin slaughtering the New Year pig and preparing festive dishes.
Off Taiwan's southwestern coast, mullet season begins as grey mullet follow cold coastal currents south into the Taiwan Strait to spawn. Fishermen say 'a few at Minor Snow, many at Major Snow' (小雪小到，大雪大到). Dried mullet roe is one of Taiwan's prized New Year delicacies.
Seasonal Food and Wellness
Grey, cold days and shorter daylight can leave some people feeling low, so traditional advice encourages getting sunshine and staying active outdoors. Typical winter ingredients include Chinese cabbage, white radish, Chinese yam, chestnuts, black sesame and walnuts.
Cured foods are high in salt, so even as seasonal treats they are best eaten in moderation. Keeping the head, neck and feet warm is the usual practical advice. These are general lifestyle suggestions and traditional ideas, not medical guidance.