Start of Winter (Lìdōng) is the nineteenth solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar and marks the beginning of winter. “Start” signifies the commencement, while “winter” represents the end, when all things are stored away. Start of Winter signifies that vitality begins to withdraw and store itself, as all things enter a state of rest and preservation. The climate also transitions from the dry, low-rainfall conditions of autumn to the cold, rainy, and freezing weather of winter.

First Sign: Water Begins to Freeze: After the Start of Winter, temperatures drop, causing water surfaces to form a thin layer of ice. Ice floes appear on northern rivers or ponds, though the ice layer is not yet fully solid.

Second Sign: Ground Begins to Freeze: The soil freezes due to low temperatures, hardening the ground. Footsteps produce a “creaking” sound, indicating the earth has entered a state of hibernation.

Third Sign: Pheasants Enter the Great Waters as Shellfish: Wild birds like pheasants become scarce, while clams with similar shell patterns appear along the coast. Ancient people imagined pheasants transforming into these clams, blending observation with myth.