小雪是二十四节气的第二十个节气。小雪时节过后，西北风开始称为常客，气温逐渐下降到0°C以下。此时大地尚未过于寒冷，虽开始降雪，但雪量不大，故称为小雪。今年的小雪始于11月22日。

很多农民会在小雪后为小麦浇冻水做好越冬工作，也有“小雪雪满天，来年必丰年”的说法。这里有三层意思。一是小雪落雪，来年雨水均匀，无大旱涝；而是下雪可冻死害虫；三是积雪有保暖作用，利于增强土壤肥力。

“荷尽已无擎雨盖，残菊犹有傲霜枝”，此时气候已呈初冬景象。古人在小雪前后便开始准备用于御寒的衣物、手炉、汤婆等，同时房内挂棉帘防寒。

南方有农历十月（小雪前后）吃糍粑的习俗。古时，糍粑是南方地区传统的节日祭品，最早是农民用来祭牛神的贡品。俗语“十月朝，糍粑禄禄烧”指的就是祭祀事件。

多处民间有“冬腊风腌，蓄以御冬”的习俗。小雪后气温急剧下降，天气变得干燥，是加工腊肉的好时候。小雪节气后，一些农家开始动手做香肠、腊肉，等到春节时正好享受美食。

Minor Snow

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Minor snow, the 20^th solar term of the year, signals the arrival of snow but only in small quantities. Minor snow begins on Nov 22 this year.

A folk saying goes: “Snow on minor snow brings about a prosperous harvest next year.” Snowfall during minor snow can protect wheat from pests and act as insulation to keep the fields warm.

People in ancient China started preparing warmer clothing for the winter during minor snow, as well as handy items such as hand warmers. Cotton curtains were also hung to combat the cold weather.

People in South China often eat glutinous rice cake in the 10^th lunar month, around the time minor snow arrives. Glutinous rick cakes were festive offerings in ancient China.

After minor snow, temperature declines sharply and the air becomes dry. It is the best time to start making preserved pork, which will be ready to eat right before the Chinese New Year.

Drinking soup is one folk tradition during minor snow. The Tujia ethnic group of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao automous prefecture would slaughter a pig to make “pao soup” on minor snow to entertain their family and friends.

Fishermen in southern part of Taiwan start making dried fish upon arrival of minor snow. Schools of mullets arrive at the coast of Taiwan this time of the year, as well as swordfish.（书法+中英文 ASP公司 程成）