What is the meaning of earthworm knotting elk horn to solve the water spring movement (I know this is a term in solar terms, I want to know its literal meaning)

Literally: Earthworms curl up, elk solve their horns, and spring water flows and is warm.

These three sentences describe three climatic characteristics of "winter solstice", one of the 24 solar terms.

The solar terms divided by the leveling method divide the winter solstice into three periods: "the first period is earthworm knot;" Second, wait for the elk horn to solve; Waiting for the spring to gush out. "

Interpretation: Legend has it that earthworms are creatures with yin bending and yang stretching. At this time, although the yang has increased, the yin is still very strong, and the earthworms in the soil are still curled up. Elk and deer belong to the same family, but yin and yang are different. The ancients thought that the elk's horns were facing the afterlife, so they were cloudy, and the winter solstice was born in the sun. The elk felt that the yin gradually receded and solved their horns. Because of the birth of yang, the spring water in the mountain can flow and be warm at this time.

Extended data

Solar term proverb

The refreshing winter solstice is a sloppy year, and the sloppy winter solstice is a refreshing year. (Jiangxi)

The winter solstice is sunny and the first month is rainy; In winter, the solstice is rainy and the first month is sunny. (Zhejiang)

The winter solstice is sunny, the New Year is rainy, the Mid-Autumn Festival is rainy, and the winter solstice is sunny. (black)

It is sunny in winter and rainy in the New Year. It rains from winter to Sunday, and the New Year is sunny. (Lu, Xiang)

The solstice in winter is cold and the Spring Festival is warm. The solstice in winter is very warm, while the Spring Festival is very cold. (Hunan and Guangdong)

The solstice in winter is not cold, and the solstice in summer is not hot. (to)

The solstice of winter is hot and cold until mid-March; The solstice in winter is very cold, and spring is warm very early. (Guangxi)

The solstice in winter is very warm and the fire is very strong. (Guangxi)

The northwest wind blows from winter to Sunday, and it will be dry next spring. (gold)

Baidu encyclopedia-winter solstice