Welcoming “great cold” – the end of winter and prelude to spring

Welcoming “Great Cold” – The End of Winter and Prelude to Spring

Every year, around January 20th, the arrival of the “Great Cold” (Dahan) marks the peak of winter’s chill. As the last solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar, Dahan symbolizes the utmost cold, while also signaling that spring is quietly approaching. For people, the Great Cold is not only a turning point in the natural season but also a time for reflection and preparation.

The term “Great Cold” directly conveys the intense coldness of this time. At this point, the north winds howl, and the land is covered in snow and ice, with temperatures reaching their lowest of the year. However, despite the severe cold, it is precisely due to the Earth’s axial tilt that this frigid weather accumulates energy, setting the stage for the arrival of spring.

In ancient China, agricultural culture placed great emphasis on the changes in seasons. After the Great Cold, although the weather remained cold, farmers would begin preparing for the upcoming spring plowing, ensuring the right tools and seeds were ready for the year’s harvest. The Great Cold marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring’s preparations.

The arrival of the Great Cold serves as a reminder that winter's chill is not over yet, and keeping warm remains a key concern in daily life. During this time, many regions experience peak winter heating, with families gathered around stoves to enjoy warmth. Diets also shift to include warming foods, such as mutton and beef, which are known for their heat-producing properties.

In addition to cold, the Great Cold is also a time of preparation for the upcoming Lunar New Year. People engage in activities related to the celebration, such as cleaning their homes, buying New Year’s goods, putting up Spring Festival couplets, and preparing for family reunions. The Great Cold, in this sense, feels like the final grand feast of winter, evoking feelings of warmth and togetherness.

In traditional Chinese culture, the Great Cold carries many symbolic meanings. It represents endurance and resilience, symbolizing the ability to persist even in the harshest of conditions. At the same time, it reminds people to maintain warmth and hope in the cold of winter, as spring is quietly approaching, and all things will soon revive.

In some regions, there is the tradition of “Great Cold tonics,” where people believe it is the best time to replenish energy and nurture their health. As modern society becomes faster-paced, many people take this time to adjust their routines and strengthen their immune systems in preparation for the coming year.

With the impact of climate change, winter weather has become increasingly unpredictable in recent years. Whether it is the severe cold in the north or the damp chill in the south, the significance and impact of the Great Cold are more pronounced. As people cope with the cold, there is also growing attention to environmental and energy issues. Energy conservation, emission reduction, and green living have become the preferred choices for many.

Although the Great Cold brings the peak of winter’s chill, it also signals the impending arrival of spring. With the footsteps of the Lunar New Year, the Great Cold becomes a farewell to winter and brings renewed hope. As the Great Cold comes to an end, the spring breeze will gradually begin to blow, the ice will melt, and flowers and trees will revive. The Great Cold is not only the extreme cold of nature but also the moment when spring is poised to take over.

In this final solar term of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, Wuxi Shin Tong Yunn Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. has further optimized the production process and mechanical design of dyeing machines, aiming to reduce mechanical wear and failure rates, and enhance the stability of yarn dyeing machines and fabric dyeing machines. By introducing more advanced automation control systems, Shin Tong Yunn has improved the accuracy and consistency of the dyeing process, ensuring that every batch of dyed products achieves the desired color and quality. It is not only enhance the reliability of textile dyeing machine but also provide customers with more efficient and energy-saving dyeing solutions, driving the company’s continuous development and technological advancement.