立冬 Beginning of Winter (Li Dong): Entering the Season of Storage

What Is Beginning of Winter?

Beginning of Winter, also known as Li Dong, marks the official start of the winter season in the Solar Term system. Occurring in early November, Li Dong signals a clear seasonal transition from outward activity to inward preservation.

While temperatures may still fluctuate, the directional change is unmistakable: energy begins to descend, daylight shortens, and the natural world prepares for dormancy. Li Dong is less about cold itself and more about the shift toward storage.

The Meaning Behind the Name

The name Li Dong translates to “Establishing Winter” or “Beginning of Winter.” The word Li signifies the act of setting or establishing, indicating that winter is not merely approaching—it has begun.

During Li Dong:

• Yang activity decreases

• Yin energy becomes dominant

• Movement gives way to containment

The name reflects a structural change in seasonal rhythm rather than a sudden change in weather.

Beginning of Winter in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter is associated with conservation, storage, and foundational vitality, governed primarily by the Kidney system. Li Dong marks the moment when these principles become central to daily living.

This Solar Term emphasizes:

• Protecting energy rather than expending it

• Strengthening the body’s reserves

• Adjusting habits before deep winter arrives

Li Dong encourages proactive alignment rather than reactive adjustment.

Seasonal Focus: Establishing Winter Routines

Li Dong is an ideal time to establish habits that will support health throughout the winter months.

Seasonal principles during Beginning of Winter include:

• Transitioning toward warm, cooked, and nourishing meals

• Prioritizing regular sleep and earlier bedtimes

• Protecting the lower back, abdomen, and feet from cold

• Reducing excessive physical strain and late-night activity

This is the season to set the foundation, not to test limits.

Emotional and Mental Qualities of Beginning of Winter

Emotionally, Li Dong often brings a subtle inward turn. People may notice:

• A desire for quieter evenings

• Reduced tolerance for overstimulation

• An increased need for rest and reflection

Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes this shift as appropriate. Allowing space for stillness during Li Dong supports emotional stability and prevents depletion later in winter.

Beginning of Winter as a Threshold

Li Dong is a threshold rather than a destination. It marks the entry into a longer period of conservation that will continue through Minor Snow, Major Snow, Winter Solstice, and the coldest phases of winter.

How one responds during Li Dong—by slowing down and establishing supportive routines—shapes the entire winter experience.

Living in Rhythm With Beginning of Winter

Beginning of Winter invites intentional adjustment. By reducing excess, protecting warmth, and prioritizing rest, the body aligns with the natural rhythm of the season.

Li Dong reminds us that preparation is an act of wisdom.

When winter is welcomed deliberately rather than resisted, the body moves through the season with greater steadiness, resilience, and balance.

Way2Health • Seasonal Wisdom for Modern Living