To Game of Thrones devotees the ubiquitous phrase - ‘Winter is coming’ carries meaning, but I’m guessing the Chinese had first dibs on the phrase! In Chinese culture, Seasons commence about one and a half months before the comparative seasons in the Western Civil calendar. The 19th Seasonal Node nods to ‘Winter’s Coming’ or the ‘Beginning of Winter’(Lì dōng 立冬) as it’s also known. This solar term is the one of eight key nodal transition points, it denote the midpoints between the equinoxes and solstices. Commencing on 8 Nov 2023, we also prepare to welcome the swine of the Chinese Zodiac - the Yin Water Pig. And the 10th Lunar month begins on 13 Nov. 2023.
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June 1 is officially the first day of Winter, here in the Australia. Most Aussies follow Meteorological seasons, which are largely defined by first of a month in Gregorian calendar.
However within Indigenous Australian communities such as the Dharawal people, they follow their own bio-cultural indicators taught and passed down through generations, much like the 24 Solar Terms observed in the Chinese Calendar.
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