【24节气英语说】霜降 Frost's Descent

The traditional Chinese lunarcalendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Frost's Descent, (Chinese: 霜降),the 18th solar term of the year, begins this year on Oct 24 and ends on Nov 7.

Frost's Descent is the last solarterm of autumn, during which time the weather becomes much colder than beforeand frost begins to appear.

Here are eight things you shouldknow about Frost's Descent.

Frosty autumn

Frost consists of white icecrystals of frozen water vapor near the ground. During Frost's Descent, frostbegins to appear. But in the lower reaches of the Yellow River region, frostfirst appears in late October or early November. As Frost's Descent comes, theworld is filled with the atmosphere of late autumn.

Eating persimmons

Eating persimmons during Frost'sDescent can help people resist the cold and protect their bones. In thecountryside, people believe that their lips will crack if they don't eatpersimmons during this period.

Eating apples

The apple is one kind ofrecommended fruit during Frost's Descent. There are many sayings about apples'benefits in China, such as "Eat an apple after meals, even old men can beas strong as young men," just as the Western proverb goes, "An applea day keeps the doctor away." Apples can moisten the lungs, quench one'sthirst and help one's digestion.

Eating pears

The pear is another recommendedfruit during Frost's Descent, which can promote the secretion of body liquids,clear away heat and reduce sputum.

Eating duck

It's a custom to eat duck on thefirst day of Frost's Descent in south Fujian province and Taiwan. There is asaying in Fujian which goes, “Even nourishing all year is not as good asnourishing the human body on the first day of Frost's Descent.” Eating duck isa way for people there to gain weight.

Eating chestnuts

Eating chestnuts during Frost'sDescent is beneficial for one's health. Chestnuts have a warm nature and sweetflavor, and are good for nourishing the spleen and stomach, invigorating thecirculation of blood, relieving coughs and reducing sputum.

Eating dates

The date is one of the fruits onthe market during Frost's Descent. Nutritious with a great number of vitamins,dates can nourish the blood, decrease blood pressure, and improve one'simmunity. But eating too many could be harmful. Rotten dates can causeheadaches and dizziness or even put people's lives in danger.

Frost's Descent Festival

People in areas such as Daxincounty in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region celebrate the first day of Frost'sDescent. In the Frost's Descent Festival, the Zhuang people offer sacrifices,dance and sing folk songs. With a history of more than 360 years, the festivalis to commemorate Cen Yuyin, a heroine in battles against foreign aggression.