Major Snow, or "Daxue" in Chinese, is the 21st solar term on the traditional Chinese calendar. It falls on December 7 this year.

Here's a poem by Wang Anshi from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), translated by Qin Dachuan.

Plum Blossoms

The plum flowers at the corner of the wall
Blossom all alone in the chilly snowfall;
You can't mistake them for snow mass from afar,
For a subtle fragrance keeps coming forth.

The arrival of Major Snow marks the beginning of midwinter, the coldest days for most of China. Like Minor Snow, Major Snow brings a change in temperature. At this time of the year, northern China usually experiences plummeting temperatures, and people enjoy charming landscapes of heavy snow.

This poem admires the strong quality of plum blossoms. In Chinese culture, plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum symbolize the four gentlemen of the flowers. The plum blossom fulfills the roles of hope, nobility, and an unwavering human spirit in harsh times, a fitting metaphor given that it is the only flower you will find blooming in the snow-covered fields of northern China.

Are we going to see some snow this year? Let's wait and see. No matter what, please keep warm and be optimistic because someday, we'll look back and refer to these as the good old days. 

Host and video editor: Qiu Yu

Cover image designer: Yu Peng

Chief editor: Lin Dongwei

Project manager: Zhang Xiaohe

Producer: Liu Yuqi