Meaning of Sohan (小寒) — the 23rd of the 24 Solar Terms, around January 5-7
Sohan (小寒) is the 23rd of the 24 solar terms. It begins around January 5-7, when the sun reaches celestial longitude 285°.
At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 小寒 |
| Season | ❄️ Winter |
| Solar calendar timing | Around January 5-7 |
| Solar longitude | 285° |
| Saju month command | Sectional term (節) — from this day, the Chuk (丑) month begins |
| Core keywords | The true peak cold, endurance |
Meaning and Origin
Despite its name, “small (小) cold (寒),” Sohan is often the coldest solar term of the year in practice. The Korean proverb “Daehan goes to Sohan’s house and freezes to death” captures that paradox.
Customs and Foods
People prepared for the severe cold by bringing in firewood and food in advance, while farming households planned the year’s agricultural work and waited for spring.
Saju and the Solar Terms
The calendar used in myeongnihak moves by solar terms. Sohan is one of the 12 sectional terms (節), and from this day, the month pillar (月柱) in saju changes to the Chuk (丑) month. This is why the solar term, not the lunar calendar date, is used when determining the sexagenary stem-branch of the month of birth.
Wisdom for This Time
Preparing for spring at the coldest point of the year: like a farmer at Sohan, design the next season while standing in the middle of hardship.
Learn More
- See all 24 solar terms: 24 Solar Terms Dictionary
- Today’s iljin, zodiac, and tarot: Today’s Universe (oiyo.net)
- The saju calendar that moves by solar terms: Saju Encyclopedia
The solar terms are a seasonal calendar that divides the sun’s path into 24 parts. This is a traditional explanation based on the climate of the Korean Peninsula, and the actual date may vary by about a day each year.
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