The cold dew is at 21:5 on October 8, 2023.

Cold dew is the seventeenth solar term among the twenty-four solar terms in the lunar calendar and the fifth solar term in autumn. On October 8 or 9 of each year in the Gregorian calendar, it is regarded as cold dew when the sun reaches 195° of ecliptic longitude. During the cold dew season, the temperature is lower than during the white dew season, and the dew on the ground is colder and is about to condense into frost, which means that the climate will turn from the coolness of autumn to the colder weather.

Historical records record that "the cold dew on Dou Zhi Han Jia is cold dew. At this time, the dew is cold and cold, and it will condense, so it is called cold dew." The ancients divided the cold dew into three periods: "The first period is for swan geese to visit, and the second period is for birds." In the cold dew season, autumn has entered in most parts of the north, late autumn has entered in the northeast, and winter has entered or is about to enter in some places in the northwest. The average daily temperature in southern China is less than 20 degrees Celsius.

Cold dew solar term customs

1. Eating flower cakes

In the cold dew season, the weather is getting colder, and the trees and flowers are about to wither, so people call it "Farewell to Youth". ". When climbing high, you also eat flower cakes. Because "gao" and "cake" are homophonic, the cakes for this festival are called "Chongyang Flower Cake", which means "rising higher and higher step by step".

2. Viewing the red leaves

Going to Xiangshan to enjoy the red leaves during the cold dew season has long become a traditional habit of Beijing citizens and the highlight of autumn travel. The autumn wind rustles, and the yellow leaves are red. The continuous cooling after the cold dew has made the maple leaves in the capital red. In the golden autumn, the forests in the Fragrant Mountain are all dyed, and the red leaves all over the mountain are like clouds and brocade, which is as picturesque as a poem.

3. Climbing

The custom of climbing during the Double Ninth Festival has a long history. Since the Double Ninth Festival falls before and after the Cold Dew solar term, the pleasant climate of the Cold Dew solar term is very suitable for mountain climbing. Gradually, the custom of climbing during the Double Ninth Festival has also become a custom of the Cold Dew solar term. Climbing high means "rising higher step by step" and "longevity". In ancient times, the purpose of climbing was to avoid disaster.