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Great Cold, or Dahan (大寒), is the final solar term in China’s traditional calendar. It usually arrives around January 20, marking the coldest point of winter—and the closing chapter of the lunar year.
Yet in Chinese philosophy, the end is never just an end.
When cold reaches its extreme, warmth begins to return.
Dahan is less about enduring winter, and more about pausing before the next beginning. It’s the moment to slow down, take stock of the year that’s passed, and prepare—both practically and emotionally—for what comes next.
The Three Signs of Great Cold: Nature Pauses, Life Prepares
Ancient Chinese scholars observed that even in the harshest cold, nature never truly stops.
1.The First Sign,Chicks Begin to Hatch:Life quietly stirs beneath stillness. New beginnings are already forming, even if unseen.
2.The Second Sign,Birds of Prey Grow Stronger:Eagles and hawks sharpen their instincts, gathering strength to survive. It’s a reminder that clarity and focus matter most when conditions are hardest.
3.The Third Sign,Ice Freezes to the Center:Waterways freeze solid, reaching their deepest stillness. This is the pause before movement—the calm before change.
Together, these signs reflect the spirit of Dahan: a moment of reflection, endurance, and preparation.
How Dahan Is Traditionally Observed
As the final solar term, Dahan has long been associated with closing rituals and New Year preparation.
1.Families eat warming foods like “cold-resisting cakes”, made with nuts and dried fruits, to nourish the body through winter’s peak.
2.Homes are thoroughly cleaned—dust swept away, old items cleared out—to symbolically leave the past behind.
3.In work and community life, year-end gatherings take place, echoing the ancient Weiya ritual. Gratitude is expressed. The year is acknowledged, then gently released.
All of these customs point to the same idea: you cannot welcome the new without first honoring the old.
From Year’s End to the Year of the Fire Horse
As Great Cold passes, attention turns naturally toward the coming Chinese New Year—and in 2026, the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse.
In Chinese culture, the Horse symbolizes movement, independence, and forward momentum. When paired with the Fire element, it represents energy, courage, and decisive action.
After a year of reflection, the Horse encourages us to move again—confidently, with purpose.
This transition from stillness to motion is exactly what Dahan prepares us for.
Welcoming the Fire Horse: Thoughtful New Year Pieces from Sinocultural
Rather than viewing New Year items as temporary decorations, Chinese tradition treats them as symbols that shape daily life and intention. At Sinocultural, our Fire Horse collection is designed with that philosophy in mind—pieces that carry meaning while fitting naturally into modern living.
New Year Symbols for the Home:
3.2026 Fire Horse Chinese New Year Pony Scented Sachet Ornament
Our 2026 Year of the Fire Horse Premium Celebration Gift Set, along with Fire Horse calendar magnets and scented sachets, brings New Year symbolism into everyday spaces—kitchens, desks, entryways.
These items don’t demand attention. They quietly mark time, intention, and transition. A daily reminder that a new cycle has begun—and that forward motion is welcome.
Warmth and Meaning for the Season
1.Luxury Embroidered Wool Cashmere Scarf – Horse & Persimmon Pattern 200x70cm
2.2026 Chinese New Year Luxury Mulberry Silk Scarf – Horse & Floral Motif 180x30 Cm
3.Embroidery Premium 100% Wool Cashmere Scarf Fortune Horse Pattern 180 X 30 Cm
As winter lingers through Dahan, warmth becomes part of ritual. Our embroidered wool and cashmere scarves, featuring Horse, persimmon, and auspicious motifs, are designed for this in-between season.
They are practical, comforting, and symbolic—pieces meant to be worn, not stored away. A way to carry New Year blessings into everyday routines.
For those already looking toward spring, our mulberry silk Horse motif scarves offer a lighter expression of New Year energy. Elegant and symbolic, they reflect the Horse’s movement and freedom—perfect for transitioning from winter to renewal.
Closing the Year, Stepping Forward with Intention
Great Cold teaches us that endings don’t need urgency. They need presence.
Before the Fire Horse arrives with its energy and motion, Dahan gives us time—to reflect on what the year has taught us, to clear space, and to choose what we carry forward.
At Sinocultural, we believe the most meaningful New Year pieces are those that blend culture, intention, and daily life. Not loud celebrations, but lasting companions for the year ahead.
The cold fades.
The year turns.
And the Horse begins its run.
