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- Start of Winter
Solar term 19 of 24
Start of Winter
立冬 · Lidong
Winter begins. Nature stores away its energy and farm work slows to a rest.
The three pentads
- 水始冰Water begins to freeze
- 地始凍The ground begins to freeze
- 雉入大水為蜃Pheasants enter the sea and become giant clams (an old belief)
Each solar term is split into three pentads of about five days, each marked by a sign in nature.
Customs
In the north people eat dumplings; in the south there is a custom of a warming “winter feast”.
Sky file
- Sun's longitude
- 225°
- Type
- Sectional term (jie)
- Season
- Winter
- Chinese month
- 亥 Hai month (Start of Winter to Major Snow)
- Sun's position
- Scorpio 15°
- Dates
- Nov 7, 2026 · Nov 7, 2027
Dates are in Beijing time.
Frequently asked questions
- When is Start of Winter?
- Nov 7, 2026; Nov 7, 2027 (the moment the term begins, Beijing time).
- What are the three pentads of Start of Winter?
- Pentad 1: 水始冰 (Water begins to freeze); Pentad 2: 地始凍 (The ground begins to freeze); Pentad 3: 雉入大水為蜃 (Pheasants enter the sea and become giant clams (an old belief)).
- What customs are associated with Start of Winter?
- In the north people eat dumplings; in the south there is a custom of a warming “winter feast”.
- Where is the Sun at Start of Winter?
- The Sun reaches ecliptic longitude 225° (Scorpio 15°). Start of Winter is a sectional term (jie) in winter.
For culture and fun: personality and tradition only, no predictions.