For international readers discovering the rhythm of the traditional Chinese calendar, “Start of Winter” (Lidong) carries a quiet, almost ceremonial weight. It is the nineteenth solar term and the first of the four that make up winter, usually arriving around November 7th or 8th. The word “Li” (立) means “to begin,” while “Dong” (冬) points to both endings and storage. Together, Lidong signals a turning point: the natural world shifts from gathering into hiding, and winter officially opens its door.
What Does “Lidong” Mean?
The ancient agricultural text Yueling Qishier Hou Jijie explains: “Winter means completion; all things are gathered and stored.” Here, “winter” carries two layers of meaning — finality and preservation. By this time, the year’s farming work has largely come to a close. Harvested grain rests safely in barns, animals retreat into shelter, and plants slow their growth. Nature, in a sense, begins to tuck itself away.
That said, Lidong does not mean every part of China has entered deep winter. In the north, cold air may already feel sharp and unforgiving. In the south, the weather can still resemble late autumn. Lidong functions more as a seasonal marker than a universal climate event, showing that the natural cycle has moved from “harvesting” into “storing.”
Nature’s Signals: The Three Pentads of Lidong
Ancient Chinese observers divided Lidong into three five-day periods to record the subtle changes of early winter:
- First Pentad: Water Begins to Freeze. Rivers and lakes in northern China start forming thin ice. On cold mornings, delicate ice patterns may float across still water, marking the first visible sign of winter’s arrival.
- Second Pentad: Earth Begins to Freeze. The soil hardens as temperatures continue to drop. Moisture inside the ground turns icy, making the earth firm and difficult to till. For farmers, this signals the end of active fieldwork.
- Third Pentad: Pheasants Enter the Great Water and Become Clams. After Lidong, pheasants become harder to spot in the fields, while large clams appear along the coast. Because some clam shells display patterns that resemble pheasant feathers, ancient people imagined that the birds had entered the sea and transformed into shellfish. This is, of course, a poetic misunderstanding rather than a scientific explanation, but it reveals how closely古人 watched the changing seasons.
Climate Characteristics of Lidong
The most noticeable feature of Lidong is the growing strength of cold air. Winds from the north become more frequent, bringing noticeable drops in temperature. In northern China, indoor heating systems often begin operating around this time. In the south, mornings and evenings grow noticeably cooler, even if daytime warmth may linger.
Rainfall also tends to decrease across much of the country. The air becomes drier, and the landscape takes on a quieter, more restrained appearance. Northern regions often look bare and open, with most leaves already fallen. Southern areas, however, may still display rich autumn colors, creating a striking contrast between different parts of the country.
Customs Full of Everyday Warmth
Lidong is not only a climatic turning point but also a moment filled with food, family, and folk tradition.
1. Eating Dumplings
In northern China, eating dumplings is one of the most important Lidong customs. A popular saying goes: “If you don’t eat dumplings at Lidong, no one will care when your ears freeze off.” Dumplings resemble ears in shape, so people traditionally believed that eating them could help protect the ears from winter cold. The word “jiaozi” also echoes “jiaozi,” meaning the meeting point of two seasons, making dumplings a fitting food for the transition from autumn to winter.
2. Nourishing the Body
Lidong marks the beginning of “winter nourishment.” Another folk saying states: “Nourish the body at Lidong, and your mouth will never be empty.” The idea is simple: eat well now to build strength for the cold months ahead. In the north, people may enjoy lamb hot pot or slow-cooked beef. In the south, chicken soup, duck soup, or other warming broths are common choices. The ingredients may differ by region, but the purpose is the same — to warm the body and prepare for winter.
3. Brewing Yellow Wine
In places such as Shaoxing, Zhejiang, Lidong is considered an ideal time to begin brewing yellow wine. The cool temperatures and clean water create favorable conditions for fermentation. After months of aging, the wine develops a mellow, fragrant character, becoming a traditional drink enjoyed during the colder season.
Conclusion
Lidong feels like the moment nature presses pause. Fields grow quiet, trees stand bare, and daily life turns inward. Yet winter is not only about cold. It also brings the comfort of warm meals, shared tables, and slower evenings. A bowl of dumplings, a pot of simmering soup, or a cup of aged yellow wine can turn the first chill of winter into something deeply human and welcoming.
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