Illustration of final-month snow from Shiwu bencao (Materia dietetica), a dietetic herbal in four volumes dating from the Ming period (1368-1644). The identity of the author and artists is unknown. It contains entries on over 300 medicinal substances and is illustrated by almost 500 paintings in colour.
The final month of the lunar year was known as layue - sacrifice month - in reference to the offerings made to the spirits and deities at this time of year. Snow in the final lunar month was thus called laxue - sacrifice [month] snow. This illustration depicts two men collecting snow from the ground. One sweeps it up with a kind of dustpan and brush, while the other holds a jar, in which to store it. There is nothing in the apparel of the two figures to suggest that it is winter; however, the season is denoted by bare trees.
The text states: Final-month month snow water is sweet in sapor and extremely cold in thermostatic character. It can eliminate seasonal epidemic diseases and all manner of poisons. Final-month month snow is excellent for keeping fruit, whereas spring snow-water breeds insects, and cannot therefore be used. Li Shizhen writes in Bencao gangmu (Systematic Materia Medica), Section on waters, juan 5: 'Stores sealed in a dark place in final-month month snow will not deteriorate for many decades. Crops kept covered in final-month month snow resist drought and do not become infested with insects. Scattered on bamboo mats, it repels flying insects. It can be used to keep all kinds of fruit, and to prevent their being infested by insects.'
