Based on the changes of the sun’s position in the zodiac throughout the year and the practical needs of agriculture in ancient China, the “24 solar terms” are important markers in the Chinese calendar.
They indicate different seasonal periods, changes in the weather, as well as natural phenomena, guiding farmers in agriculture production.
Origin of 24 Solar Terms
As early as the Shang Dynasty (17th century BCE), Chinese society had already established four major solar terms.
During the Zhou Dynasty (1046 – 256 BCE), eight solar terms marking the four seasons were established: Start of Spring, Spring Equinox, Start of Summer, Summer Solstice, Start of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Start of Winter, and Winter Solstice.
By the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE), the current 24 solar terms had been established.
Cold Dew solar term is the herald of late autumn.
There is a folk saying that “dew is white first and then cold”, which means that after the White Dew solar term, the dew turns from mild in early autumn to cold in late autumn.
In the crisp autumn weather, as you look up, you may see the wild geese flying southward in formation.
In late autumn, flowers wither and only chrysanthemums are in full bloom.
“Chrysanthemum yellow” is a characteristic flower of the Cold Dew solar term as well as an abundance of shrimps and crabs.
6 things you may not know about the Cold Dew solar term
Foggy autumn
Temperatures drop significantly in October and when the cold air encounters autumn rains, the water vapor in the air soon reaches saturation point and turns into misty rain or fog.
When humidity is high, there will be early morning and late evening fog in many regions across China.
Fishing Season:
Fishermen in China will tell you that fishing in shallow water in autumn makes sense. That’s because during the Cold Dew period, temperatures drop quickly and heat from the sun doesn’t penetrate very deeply. Fish swim to shallower waters where the water temperature is relatively high.
It’s the season for eating pomegranates
Pomegranates ripen during Cold Dew. Pomegranates have been a favourite in China for centuries for their flavour, colour, and health benefits.
It’s the season for drinking chrysanthemum wine
Yellow chrysanthemums are a characteristics flower of the Cold Dew solar term. Traditionally, many regions across China have a custom of drinking chrysanthemum wine on the Double Ninth Festival (the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar), which often falls around Cold Dew.
According to ancient texts, drinking wine made with chrysanthemums, poria cocos (an edible mushroom known as “Fuling” in Chinese), and pine oleoresin grants people long-lasting youth.
A great time for hiking
During Cold Dew, Northern China begins to take on the appearance of late autumn with white clouds, red leaves and early frost.
On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, people traditionally climb hills with cornels, a small, spreading dogwood shrub. Originating during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD25-220), this custom is believed to dispel evil.
It’s the season for making kippers
People from the Dong ethnic group in western Hunan province have a tradition of making kippers during Cold Dew. It is said that kippers made on the day of Cold Dew along with foods such as rice wine, salt, glutinous rice, pepper powder, paprika powder and ginger, are especially appetising.
Related article: Everything you wanted to know about the Chinese calendar but were too confused to ask
