大寒，是二十四节气的终章，也是新岁的前奏。此时，天地间寒意凛然，大地银装素裹，万物蛰伏，静待春的苏醒。
Major Cold, the 24th solar term, marks the prelude to Chinese New Year. Piercing winds sweep across the land which is draped in a carpet of pristine white snow. Life takes on a dormant aspect, as it awaits with bated breath spring's arrival.
图源：东方IC
“大寒过了就是年 ” 。 家家户户开始忙碌起来，进行扫尘、腌制腊味和准备年货等活动，以辞旧迎新，祈求来年的平安与顺遂， 为即将到来的春节做足准备 。
After Major Cold, Spring Festival is just around the corner. Families start to prepare for the upcoming event, cleaning their homes, curing meat and shopping for gifts. It is a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, and pray for peace and prosperity in the coming year.
图源：东方IC
在南方地区，有尾牙祭的习俗，商家祭拜土地公，感谢一年的庇佑，宴请员工，共庆丰收。
In southern regions, the tradition of weiya ji or the year-end dinner sees businessmen hosting banquets to count the past year's blessings, inviting employees to celebrate together.
图源：视觉中国
大寒期间，春运期间的火车站人头攒动，热闹非凡。旅客们拖着沉重的行李箱，带着大包小包的年货，脸上洋溢着归心似箭的喜悦。窗外，飞驰而过的风景在寒风中模糊，但每个人的心中都有一幅清晰的画面——是温暖的家，是丰盛的年夜饭，是亲人的笑脸。
During Major Cold, which overlaps with the Spring Festival travel rush, train stations are brimming with people. Laden with heavy luggage and large bundles of Chinese New Year goodies, their faces beam with the joy of heading home.
Outside the window, the winter scenery blurs in the frosty wind, but the heart glows with the anticipation of a warm hearth, a hearty Chinese New Year's Eve meal, and the smiling faces of loved ones.
图源：东方IC
古人将大寒分为三候：“一候鸡乳；二候征鸟厉疾；三候水泽腹坚”。意思是大寒期间，母鸡开始孵育小鸡；鹰隼等肉食鸟类，变得更加凶猛，寻捕食物以补充能量抵御严寒；气温寒冷，河流湖泊的冰层达到最厚。
Ancient Chinese believed that during Major Cold , hens start to incubate their chicks, meat-eating birds such as falcons and kestrels become more ferocious and hunt for food for enough energy reserves to survive the bitter cold .
T he ice on rivers and lakes freeze s from the edge to the center, where it is strongest and thickest , owing to extreme wintry conditions .
图源：视觉中国
此时，北方地区进入冰雪旅游旺季，人们纷纷前往雪场和冰场，享受冰雪运动带来的乐趣。雪道上，滑雪者们飞驰而下，身姿矫健，激起的雪花在空中绽放；冰场上，滑冰者们脚踏冰刀，翩翩起舞，划出的弧线优美而流畅。
At this time, northern China enters the peak season of snow and ice tourism, with people flocking to the ski slop es and ice rinks to revel in the joy of winter sports.
On the snow y slopes, skiers descend with athletic grace, reveling in the thrill of the sport. On the ice rink s , skaters glide elegantly, carving fluid arcs on the glistening surface.
图源：视觉中国
大寒是一个四季轮回的结束，也是另一个四季轮回的开始，将寒冷与温暖、离别与希望交织在一起。“冬天来了，春天还会远吗？”让我们带着对美好生活的向往，静待春归的美好时节。
Major Cold marks the end of one cycle of the four seasons and the beginning of another, intertwining cold with warmth, departure with hope. As the poem goes, "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" Let us, with a longing for a better life, quietly await the arrival of spring.
