Lidong (立冬): The Beginning of Winter, The Warmth of Home
When Autumn Fades into Stillness
In the traditional Chinese calendar, Lidong (立冬) marks the beginning of winter — the first of the six winter solar terms.
It usually falls on 7 November this year, when the winds grow cooler, daylight shortens, and nature begins its quiet retreat.
For thousands of years, people across China have welcomed Lidong as both an ending and a beginning.
The harvest season has passed; the fields rest.
It is time to store food, mend clothes, and prepare for the cold — a rhythm that reflects nature’s wisdom of rest and renewal.
The Warmth of Togetherness
Traditionally, families gather on Lidong to enjoy hearty meals that nourish body and spirit. In the north, dumplings are eaten to “seal warmth inside”; in the south, people cook slow-simmered soups and stews, believing that good food strengthens the heart for the cold days ahead.
But Lidong is not only about food — it’s about connection.
As the world outside grows quiet, the home becomes brighter.
The laughter of children, the care of elders, and the soft light through the window — all remind us that warmth is not just something we seek, but something we create together.
Finding Stillness in the Season
For children, Lidong is a gentle lesson in patience — that growth sometimes happens in silence.
For parents, it’s a time to slow down, listen, and nurture.
And for all of us, it’s an invitation to balance movement with stillness, and to trust that even in coldness, life quietly continues beneath the surface.
At The Mothers’ Bridge of Love, we see in Lidong the same spirit that guides our mission — to build bridges of understanding, warmth, and care, even in the coldest of seasons.
A Blessing for the Beginning of Winter
As we step into winter’s calm embrace, may we carry warmth in our hearts, kindness in our hands, and gratitude in our days.
Because love — like a steady flame — can light even the longest night.
Happy Beginning of Winter from all of us at The Mothers’ Bridge of Love. 💛
The Mothers’ Bridge of Love — connecting hearts across cultures and seasons.