苏说文化二十四节气之大雪（英文版）
每年12月7日
The Heavy Snow usually comes around December 7
太阳到达黄经250度
when the sun reaches 250 degrees
大雪节气来临
of celestial longitude
此时 气温骤降
During this time, temperatures drop sharply
地面积雪
and snow begins to accumulate on the ground
中国北方
In the north of China
千里冰封
the natural scenery is “ice blockading for hundreds miles
万里雪飘
and snow flying through thousands of miles
南方
while in the south
雪花飞舞 银装素裹
the snowflakes fly and the world turns white
大雪 有三候
The Heavy Snow falls into three pentads
一候 鹖鴠不鸣
During the first pentad
寒号鸟停止鸣叫
Hanhao birds, a kind of rodent, stop squeaking
二候 虎始交
The second
老虎开始求偶
tigers begin to mate
三候 荔挺出
And the third
荔挺萌动 抽出新芽
Liting, a kind of orchid, starts sprouting
农谚
The folk proverb
瑞雪兆丰年
A timely snow promises a good harvest
并非虚言
is not an ungrounded saying
积雪覆盖大地
When snow covers the land
有利作物生长
it creates a good wintering environment for crops
雪水中的氮化物
Snow is rich in nitrogen compound
是雨水中的五倍
about five times as much as that of rain
积雪融化时
Once the snow melts
补充土壤水分 增加土壤肥力
it moistens and fertilizes the soil
确保来年丰收
so a good harvest is ensured
俗语有云
As a saying goes
小雪腌菜
pickle vegetables in the Light Snow
大雪腌肉
pickle meat in the Light Snow
传说
Legend has it that, in ancient China
人们做腌肉是为躲避“年”兽
there was an extremely fierce monster called Nian
古时 有一种叫“年”的怪兽
On every Spring Festival Eve
都会出来伤人
it would appear to hurt people
人们为了躲避伤害
In order to avoid injury
每到年底 就足不出户
people had to stay indoors at the end of the year
因此 在“年”出来前
Therefore, before Nian appeared
就必须储备足够的食物
they must store a lot of food
鸡鸭鱼肉等肉类食品
Chicken, duck, fish, pork and other meat foods
无法久存
could not be kept for a long time
于是
so, pickling meat gradually became a tradition
便有了大雪腌肉的习俗
of the Heavy Snow
大雪时节
Due to the freezing weather
气候寒冷人们容易着凉
people are likely to catch a cold during this period
许多民间养生食谱
Many folk remedies are practiced
都可以强身健体 抵御寒冷
to help better defend against the cold
其中羊肉最受欢迎
among which mutton is the most popular
羊肉汤是滋阴补阳
Stewed lamb soup is an excellent way
加速血液循环的食补佳品
to nourish the body and promote blood circulation
三五好友 围坐一起
Also, having a spicy lamb hotpot
涮一顿羊肉火锅
with a bunch of friends around
无比惬意
is definitely a good choice on this day
烤红薯
Baked sweet potato is another delicacy
更是不可或缺的美食
you cannot miss in the cold winter
天气越冷
The colder it is outside
烤红薯摊的生意就越红火
the more popular street vendors will be
冬天 是孩子们的天下
Kids love snow most
滚雪球 堆雪人
Making snowballs, building snowmen
打雪仗
and organizing snow fights
是孩子们最喜欢的户外活动
are all favorite outdoor activities for them
漫天飞雪 笑声回荡
Snow flying, laughter echoing
孩子们尽情享受着冬雪的快乐
these activities benefit kids physically and mentally
雪 是冬之精灵
Snow is the spirit of winter
雪花飘落 大地静谧
Its arrival makes the earth quiet and peaceful
山峰冷峻
It turns mountains majestic and shining
玉树琼花
and the flowers of icicles reach its full bloom
江山如此多娇
Do you expect to date with such a wonderful world
你不想和冬天有个约会吗
in winter
