Minor Cold (Xiaohan, 小寒), at solar longitude 285°, opens the coldest weeks of the year, a season for plum blossom, Laba porridge and New Year preparations.
Solar longitude
285°
Type
Sectional term (jie)
Season
Winter
Order
No. 23 of 24
Usual dates
Jan 5–6
Meaning and Astronomy
Xiaohan (小寒) begins when the sun reaches ecliptic longitude 285°, usually between 5 and 7 January. A classical commentary explains that early in the month the cold is still 'minor' and becomes 'major' by mid-month, which is why the next term is Major Cold.
Real weather does not always follow the names. In many parts of northern China, temperatures during Minor Cold are no higher than during Major Cold, and a folk saying even claims that Minor Cold is the colder of the two. It is the fifth term of winter and a jie (節) or 'sectional' term, marking the start of the twelfth month (the chou month) in the stem-branch calendar.
The Three Pentads
First pentad: Wild geese turn north (雁北鄉) - xiang here means 'to face'; sensing returning yang, geese prepare to migrate north.
Second pentad: Magpies begin to nest (鵲始巢) - magpies carry twigs to build nests for spring breeding.
Third pentad: Pheasants begin to call (雉始雊) - male pheasants start crowing to attract mates.
Climate and Farming
Minor Cold falls around the 'third nine' after the Winter Solstice, the heart of northern winter, with frozen rivers and severe cold across the northeast and north, and possible ice or sleet in the Yangtze region. In Taiwan, strong cold waves can push lowland temperatures below 10°C and bring snow to high mountains. January is Hong Kong's coldest month, and the Observatory issues Cold Weather Warnings during cold surges. A proverb sums it up: 'Minor Cold, Major Cold, cold enough to freeze into balls of ice.'
Northern farmers focus on protecting overwintering crops, orchards and livestock and gathering fertiliser for spring. In the south, the priority is shielding vegetables, rapeseed and fruit trees from frost during cold surges.
Customs
An old tradition describes 'twenty-four flower-signal winds', one flower for each pentad across the eight terms from Minor Cold to Grain Rain. The flowers of Minor Cold are plum blossom, camellia and narcissus, making this the season for seeking plum blossom in the snow. Plum gardens in Jiangnan and plum-growing areas of Taiwan draw crowds now.
Guangzhou traditionally eats glutinous rice stir-fried with Chinese sausage, cured pork and dried shrimp; Nanjing cooks 'vegetable rice' with greens and salted pork or sausage; Tianjin favours yellow-heart cabbage. The Laba Festival on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month usually falls in this period, when northern families cook Laba porridge and pickle garlic in vinegar.
From now on, the New Year mood builds as people buy festive goods, write spring couplets, prepare preserved dishes and clean their homes.
Seasonal Food and Wellness
Traditional thinking treats this as a season for conserving energy, with gentle warming foods such as mutton, chicken, longan, red dates, chestnuts and black beans. A balanced diet still matters, rather than relying only on rich, heavy dishes.
On the coldest days, keep the head, neck, hands and feet warm, and older people and those with heart conditions should take extra care in the early morning. Indoor heaters need good ventilation. These are general reminders and traditional ideas; specific health questions belong with a professional.