China
2022.01.20 16:40 GMT+8

Animals and solar terms: Major Cold

Updated 2022.01.20 16:40 GMT+8
CGTN

Thursday marks the beginning of Dahan, or Major Cold, the final solar term of the winter and the year. During Major Cold, countries in the Northern Hemisphere witness cold fronts followed by strong winds and decreasing temperatures. Therefore, Beijing, located in north China, may welcome a big snow.

During Major Cold, countries in the Northern Hemisphere witness cold fronts followed by strong winds and decreasing temperatures. /VCG

Ancient Chinese divided every solar term into three pentads, each constituting five days. Usually these pentads reflect the climatological and phenological changes during the solar term, and some of them indicate the changes in animals' activities.

Ancient Chinese believed chickens start to hatch chicks when Major Cold arrives. /VCG

Ancient Chinese believed that chickens start to hatch chicks when Major Cold arrives, as increased sunlight helps the newborns grow healthily.

As the weather remains cold, birds of prey become easier to spot as they hover and hunt for food to keep warm.

Birds of prey like eagles need more food to keep warm, so people can spot them hovering and hunting frequently. /VCG

(Cover image via VCG)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)

Copyright © 

RELATED STORIES