Hanlu is the first solar term to mention "cold" among the twenty-four solar terms. It marks the transition from cool to cold weather and is a symbol of cooler weather. "Collection of the Seventy-Two Hours of the Moon Order" says: "On the ninth day of the ninth month, the dew will be cold and will condense." "Dew" is a symbol of cold weather in the traditional sense, and cold dew is the earliest solar term in which the word "cold" appears among the twenty-four solar terms. At this time, the dew on the ground is about to condense into frost, bringing with it a hint of chill.

With the arrival of cold dew, the climate turns from hot to cold, and everything grows with the cold and gradually declines. This is the season of alternating heat and cold. In nature, the yin and yang qi begin to change. The yang qi gradually recedes and the yin qi gradually grows. The physiological activities of the human body must also adapt to the changes in nature to ensure the physiological balance of yin and yang in the body. At this time, attention should be paid to health care.

Traditional Customs of Cold Dew

1. Go to Xiangshan Mountain to appreciate the red leaves

During the cold dew season, many places have the custom of appreciating maple leaves. "Frost leaves are as red as February flowers." "It's also about this season. The word "appreciation" when appreciating maple leaves is very important. It is different from just sitting on the window sill or walking to the street to look at the leaves. You have to be there to appreciate the beauty.

2. Pay attention to health and eat sesame seeds

The weather turns from cool to cold when the cold dew arrives. According to the health-preserving theory of traditional Chinese medicine of "nourishing yang in spring and summer, nourishing yin in autumn and winter", people should nourish yin to prevent dryness, moisten the lungs and stomach at this time. As a result, there is a folk custom of "eating sesame seeds in the cold dew".

3. Keep drinking chrysanthemum tea

Chrysanthemum is the most representative flower in the cold dew season, and you can see it everywhere. In addition, because it is close to the Double Ninth Festival, some areas have the custom of drinking "chrysanthemum wine", so the Double Ninth Festival is also called the "Chrysanthemum Festival".

4. Fishing for crabs in autumn

In the cold dew season, most parts of the country have entered autumn. In the Jiangnan area, in addition to admiring chrysanthemums, people also have the custom of eating crabs and fishing. There is even a saying of "fishing in autumn". The meaning is that every time during the cold dew season, the temperature drops rapidly and the sun can no longer penetrate deep water, so fish swim to shallow water areas with higher water temperatures, which is what people call "autumn fishing edge".