小雪

小雪是二十四節氣的第二十個節氣。小雪時節過后，西北風開始稱為?？?，氣溫逐漸下降到0°C以下。此時大地尚未過于寒冷，雖開始降雪，但雪量不大，故稱為小雪。今年的小雪始于11月22日。

很多農民會在小雪后為小麥澆凍水做好越冬工作，也有“小雪雪滿天，來年必豐年”的說法。這里有三層意思。一是小雪落雪，來年雨水均勻，無大旱澇；而是下雪可凍死害蟲；三是積雪有保暖作用，利于增強土壤肥力。

“荷盡已無擎雨蓋，殘菊猶有傲霜枝”，此時氣候已呈初冬景象。古人在小雪前后便開始準備用于御寒的衣物、手爐、湯婆等，同時房內掛棉簾防寒。

南方有農歷十月（小雪前后）吃糍粑的習俗。古時，糍粑是南方地區傳統的節日祭品，最早是農民用來祭牛神的貢品。俗語“十月朝，糍粑祿祿燒”指的就是祭祀事件。

多處民間有“冬臘風腌，蓄以御冬”的習俗。小雪后氣溫急劇下降，天氣變得干燥，是加工臘肉的好時候。小雪節氣后，一些農家開始動手做香腸、臘肉，等到春節時正好享受美食。

Minor Snow

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Minor snow, the 20^th solar term of the year, signals the arrival of snow but only in small quantities. Minor snow begins on Nov 22 this year.

A folk saying goes: “Snow on minor snow brings about a prosperous harvest next year.” Snowfall during minor snow can protect wheat from pests and act as insulation to keep the fields warm.

People in ancient China started preparing warmer clothing for the winter during minor snow, as well as handy items such as hand warmers. Cotton curtains were also hung to combat the cold weather.

People in South China often eat glutinous rice cake in the 10^th lunar month, around the time minor snow arrives. Glutinous rick cakes were festive offerings in ancient China.

After minor snow, temperature declines sharply and the air becomes dry. It is the best time to start making preserved pork, which will be ready to eat right before the Chinese New Year.

Drinking soup is one folk tradition during minor snow. The Tujia ethnic group of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao automous prefecture would slaughter a pig to make “pao soup” on minor snow to entertain their family and friends.

Fishermen in southern part of Taiwan start making dried fish upon arrival of minor snow. Schools of mullets arrive at the coast of Taiwan this time of the year, as well as swordfish.（書法+中英文 ASP公司 程成）