【24节气英语说】寒露 Cold Dew

24Solar Terms: 8 things you may not know about Cold Dew

The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides theyear into 24 solar terms. Cold Dew, (Chinese: 寒露),the 17th solar term of the year, begins this year on Oct 8 and ends on Oct 23.

At this time, temperatures are much lower than duringWhite Dew in most areas of China. The dew is greater and colder and there willbe less rain. Autumn crops will be ripe.

Here are eight things you should know about ColdDew.

Foggy autumn

Temperatures drop significantly in October. When thecold air encounters autumn rain, the abundant water vapor in the air soonreaches saturation, and then it turns into misty rain or fog. When the humidityis high, there will be foggy regions formed in many areas of China.

Season forfishing

People always say that fishing in shallow water inautumn makes sense. That’s because during the Cold Dew period, temperaturesdecrease quickly and sunshine doesn’t reach deep water thoroughly. Fish swim toshallow water areas where the water temperature is relatively high.

Season foreating pomegranates

Pomegranates are ripe during Cold Dew. Pomegranateshave been cherished for their exquisite beauty, flavor, color, and health benefitsfor centuries.

Season fordrinking chrysanthemum wine

Chrysanthemum is the iconic flower of Cold Dew. Toprevent autumn dryness, many regions in China have the custom of drinkingchrysanthemum wine. This is a tradition of the Double Ninth Festival (on theninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar), which often falls aroundCold Dew. According to ancient records, drinking wine made with chrysanthemums,poria cocos mushroom and pine oleoresin grants peoplelonglasting youth.

Season foreating hawthorns

There is a saying that goes "It is time toharvest hawthorn during Cold Dew." Extracts of the berries have long beenused in herbal medicine. The antioxidants in hawthorn are thought to boostheart health by strengthening blood vessels and stimulating blood flow.

A great timefor hiking

During Cold Dew, North China takes on a look of lateautumn with white clouds, red leaves and early frost. On the day of the DoubleNinth Festival, people often climb hills with cornels, a kind of plant. Thiscustom aims to dispel evils, and originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty(AD25-220).

Season formaking kippers

People of the Dong ethnic group in western Hunanprovince have the custom of making kippers during Cold Dew. It is said thatkippers made on the day of Cold Dew with accessory foods, such as rice wine,salt, glutinous rice, pepper powder, paprika powder and ginger, are especiallydelicious.

Season forpicking camellia seeds

Southern Hunan province is a famous area forproducing tea seed oil. People are not allowed to go to the mountains to pickthe seeds until Cold Dew comes around.