Major Cold marks the last solar term of the year, when cold waves frequently move southward, making it the coldest season. According to ancient Chinese phenology (物候学), Major Cold is divided into three phases:
1) Chicken Starts to Milk: This means that hens begin to hatch chicks during Major Cold, sensing the upcoming spring’s yang energy.
2) Bird Disease is Severe: “Zhengniao” refers to sharp and fierce birds like eagles, which hover in the air to hunt and gather energy to resist the harsh cold.
3) Water Full and Strong Clothing: It indicates that the ice on the water reaches its thickest and firmest state of the year, providing strong support for the end of winter.
These changes reflect the low temperatures and shifts in animal behavior during Major Cold. In traditional Chinese culture, this period is closely linked to agricultural production and daily life, emphasizing the importance of staying warm and preventing the adverse effects of low temperatures.
The old year doesn’t start with Major Cold, but the new year begins with it. The folk customs of Major Cold are rich with traditions for bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, such as rushing to buy sesame (芝麻) straw and pasting window paper.
During Major Cold, people often rush to buy sesame straw because “sesame flowers bloom high,” symbolizing good fortune. Window pasting is a folk activity in the areas above the Yellow River. During the severe cold, new paper is used to paste windows, symbolizing “pasting windows for good luck.”
In Nanjing of Jiangsu province, the tradition is drinking chicken soup. It means that families eat a chicken every nine days after the Winter Solstice (dongzhi) to boost their immune system.
In Beijing, people enjoy eating “dispelling cold cake” during Major Cold. This rice cake has a higher sugar content than regular rice cakes and feels warm after consumption. It helps remove wind and cold, and moisturizes the lungs. Eating rice cakes on the day of Major Cold also symbolizes a “high year”, wishing for good luck, safety, and step-by-step progress.
In Anqing of Anhui province, there’s the custom of making spring rolls by wrapping fillings in thin, cooked pancakes, then frying them until they turn golden and float to the top. The fillings can be meat or vegetables and can be either salty or sweet.
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1.1.Which of the following is NOT associated with Major Cold phases?
A Hens begin to hatch chicks.
B Eagles fly in the air to hunt.
C The ice on the water is thick.
D Harvesting rice fields.
解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第一部分内容可知，大寒分为三候：一候鸡始乳，母鸡开始孵小鸡。二候征鸟厉疾：鹰之类的飞鸟盘旋于空中猎食。三候水泽服坚：冰层的厚度和坚实度达到了一年中的极限。“收割稻田”并未提及。故选D。
3.3.Why do people rush to buy sesame straw during Major Cold?
A For its nutritional benefits to fight the cold.
B Because it’s a rare item during winter.
C To use as fuel for heating homes.
D As a symbol of good fortune.
解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据第四段中的“symbolizing good fortune”可知，人们在大寒时节上街争相购买芝麻秸是因为“芝麻开花节节高”，象征着好运。故选D。
4.4.What is the significance of eating “dispelling cold cake” in Beijing during Major Cold?
A It provides necessary warmth and nutrition.
B It symbolizes saying goodbye to the old year.
C It helps drive wind and cold, and nourish the lungs.
D It is a practice to prevent illnesses during the cold season.
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中的“It helps dispel wind and cold, and moisturizes the lungs.”人们在大寒时节吃“消寒糕”，是因为消寒糕具有散寒润肺的功效。故选C。
