夏有凉风冬有雪 (xiàyǒuliángfēngdōngyǒuxuě): in summer there is cool wind, in winter there is snow

Meanings

1 in summer there is cool wind, in winter there is snow
2 (fig.) the simple, complete pleasures of each season — a Chan-Buddhist image of contented living
3 (lit.) summer has cool-wind, winter has snow

Characters

夏

wind (凉风 = cool breeze)

Examples

退休后回乡下住，夏有凉风冬有雪，日子很惬意。

Tuìxiū hòu huí xiāngxià zhù, xià yǒu liángfēng dōng yǒu xuě, rìzi hěn qièyì.

After retirement I moved back to the countryside — 'cool winds in summer, snow in winter' — life is very pleasant.

她朋友圈写着夏有凉风冬有雪，配了张乡下的照片。

Tā péngyǒuquān xiězhe xià yǒu liángfēng dōng yǒu xuě, pèile zhāng xiāngxià de zhàopiàn.

Her WeChat Moments post reads 'cool wind in summer, snow in winter,' with a countryside photo.

Tips

history

From 宋代无门慧开禅师《颂》(Song-dynasty Chan master Wumen Huikai, 1183-1260, in 《无门关》): 春有百花秋有月，夏有凉风冬有雪。若无闲事挂心头，便是人间好时节 (Spring has a hundred flowers, autumn has the moon; summer has cool wind, winter has snow. If no idle worry hangs on your mind, this is the world's best season). A Chan verse teaching presence — every season is complete if the mind is clear.

usage

Always quoted as part of the four-line stanza, or paired with 若无闲事挂心头. The structure is strict parallel: 春/夏/秋/冬 with each season's signature image. A favorite in modern lifestyle and mindfulness writing.