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Xiaohan (小寒) — Lesser Cold
Around January 5-7; cold deepens; severe weather but the absolute peak still ahead.
Xiaohan occurs at celestial longitude 285°, around January 5-7. Cold intensifies; "lesser" because the absolute peak (Dahan) lies two weeks ahead. The "third nine" of the cold-count typically falls within this term — coldest period of the year for many regions.
Tradition: eating "stewed eight-treasure rice" (臘八粥 around 臘八 festival) and warming foods. Climate: northern China at deep cold; southern China sees frost.