Why do people in Northeast China call winter "Maodong"?

Compared with the south, the temperature in the Northeast is colder in winter, often reaching dozens of degrees below zero. In order to resist the cold, people in the Northeast tend to stay at home in winter, which is called "Maodong". "Mao" means "hiding" in the Northeast dialect, which means that in the cold winter, people hide in a warm corner like a kitten, hence the saying "Maodong". So what preparations do people in the Northeast do to prepare for the winter?

1. Attach the greenhouse

A greenhouse is usually built with an insulation structure on the periphery of the house to isolate the cold air from the outside. First, a sturdy frame needs to be built to support the top and sides of the greenhouse. This frame is usually made of wood, steel pipes or other durable materials. Cover the frame with a layer of insulation material, such as plastic film, glass or other transparent materials. These materials can block the invasion of cold winds while allowing sunlight to penetrate in and increase the indoor temperature. As a way for people in Northeast China to spend the winter, building a greenhouse can significantly increase the indoor temperature and provide residents with a warm and comfortable living environment. In addition to the warming function, some residents in the Northeast have also transformed greenhouses into places for leisure, entertainment or growing vegetables.

2. Winter Vegetables

In order to survive the long winter, people in Northeast China will stock up a large amount of winter vegetables in advance to ensure that there is enough supply of vegetables in winter. Chinese cabbage is one of the first choices for people in Northeast China to store winter vegetables. It has high yield, strong cold resistance, rich nutrition, and is easy to store and cook. Chinese cabbage can be stored in a cellar, pickled or dried in the sun. Potatoes are also one of the important varieties of winter vegetables for people in Northeast China. Potatoes are rich in starch and multiple vitamins, easy to cook and preserve. Potatoes can be stored in a cellar or pickled into delicious dishes such as hot and sour potato shreds. Radish is another common vegetable for people in Northeast China to store winter vegetables. Radish is rich in vitamin C and multiple minerals. It has the effects of clearing heat and reducing phlegm, digesting food and removing bloating. Radish can be pickled into delicious side dishes such as dried radish or hot and sour radish. At the same time, other winter vegetables in Northeast China include Chinese mustard, kohlrabi, Jerusalem artichoke, and mustard.

3. Build a firewall

Fire walls are a type of heating facility that is unique to rural areas in Northeast China. The structure of a fire wall is relatively simple, but the heating effect is very significant. It builds a closed combustion chamber in the outer or inner wall of the house, uses the heat generated by the combustion to heat the wall, and then transfers the heat to the room, providing a warm and comfortable living environment for people in Northeast China. The construction cost of a fire wall is relatively low, and it consumes less fuel during use. Therefore, it is an economical way of heating and is deeply loved by people in Northeast China.

4.Paste the windows

The winter in Northeast China is windy, cold, snowy, and cold. Snow can penetrate into the house through the cracks in the windows. In order to resist the severe cold and prevent the cold wind from entering the house through the cracks in the windows, people in Northeast China will paste the windows before hibernating. With the changes of the times and the advancement of technology, the way people in Northeast China paste windows is also constantly changing. From the initial kraft paper and newspapers to the later cellophane and plastic cloth, and then to the current double-glazed, broken bridge aluminum windows and other modern window materials, the way people in Northeast China paste windows is becoming more and more advanced and convenient. At the same time, with the improvement of living standards and living environment, the way people in Northeast China hibernate is also constantly changing and enriching.

"Mao Dong" is not only a way of life for people in Northeast China to cope with the severe winter cold, but also an important part of Northeast China culture. It reflects the diligence, wisdom and creativity of the people in Northeast China, and also shows their optimistic and tenacious spirit. Through "Mao Dong", we can have a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage and humanistic customs of Northeast China.

First review: Li Chao

Review: Liu Qiang

Final judge: Li Jiao