大寒 Dàhán
Major Cold
In 2026: 20 January 2026 to 4 February 2026 (Beijing time)
“Major cold”: the last term of the year. Under the cold, the first signs of spring are already preparing.
- Sun’s longitude
- 300°
- Month (earthly branch)
- 丑month
- Season
- Winter
- Five Phase
- 水Water
The three pentads
Each term is divided into three five-day pentads, named for what the ancients saw happen in nature.
- First pentad鸡始乳Hens begin to brood
- Second pentad征鸟厉疾Birds of prey fly hard and fast
- Third pentad水泽腹坚Lakes freeze to the core
Wudang yangsheng for this term
- Breath
- Quiet breathing in a warm room, the attention resting at the dantian.
- Warm tea and diet
- Warm, nourishing meals as the year closes; aged teas.
- Sleep and daily rhythm
- Clear out the old and rest up for spring; stay warm.
Traditional guidance, not medical advice. The terms follow the seasons of central China.
In the Book of Changes
Each month has a sovereign hexagram (消息卦) that shows how far yin or yang has grown. For the 丑 month it is 临, Approach.
Seeker’s Q&A
Why does the solar year end at its coldest point?
Major Cold is the last of the 24 terms, and the next is Start of Spring. Extreme cold is where the turn begins: yin at its fullest gives way to yang.
What can I “store ice” for?
Use the quiet weeks before the new year to prepare what you will need later: settle accounts, mend what is broken, plan a practice routine for spring.
How does Major Cold meet the Lunar New Year?
Major Cold usually falls in the weeks before Chinese New Year, so it is also the season of spring cleaning, settling debts and preparing food for the reunion dinner.
What is the traditional health advice now?
Keep warm, sleep well and eat warm cooked food; avoid hard, sweaty training outdoors in the cold. This is traditional guidance, not medical advice.
One-minute practice
Sit still and name three things the coming year will need from you. For each, choose one small preparation you can make this week, like cutting ice for the summer. One minute is enough.