1. Climate & Natural Phenomena
Liqiu (Start of Autumn) is the 13th solar term, occurring around August 7 to 8. Although summer temperatures may linger in what is known as “Autumn Tiger” (秋老虎) heatwaves, the Yang energy of nature begins to fold inward. Days gradually shorten, and evening breezes become noticeably cooler.
Ancient Chinese phenology divided Start of Autumn into three distinctive micro-seasons (Penthads / 三候):
凉风至 Cool, refreshing westerly winds begin to replace the humid southern monsoons.
白露降 Morning fog and cool white dew start to condense on meadow grasses overnight.
寒蝉鸣 Autumn cicadas sense the approaching chill and sing their slow, melancholy songs.
2. Lifestyle, Diet & Customs
As the seasons shift from damp summer to dry autumn, health regimens focus on moistening the lungs, stimulating appetite, and celebrating the upcoming harvest.
🍵 Diet & Health
The most popular dietary tradition across northern China is “Fleshing Out Autumn” (贴秋膘). Because people often lose weight and appetite during the sweltering summer, Liqiu is the time to eat rich, nourishing meat dishes:
- Braised Pork & Stewed Meats: Enjoying hearty dishes like braised pork belly or roast duck to build stamina for winter.
- Eating Autumn Peaches (咬秋): In southern regions, people eat peaches or melons on Liqiu day to ward off seasonal digestive ailments.
- Lily Bulb & Pear Soup: Consumed daily to protect the throat and lungs from early autumn dryness.
🏮 Folk Traditions
In farming communities, a vibrant visual custom known as “Sun-Drying Autumn” (晒秋) takes place. Households dry colorful harvested crops—such as bright red chili peppers, yellow corn, and golden chrysanthemum flowers—in round bamboo trays on rooftops and balconies, creating stunning patchwork patterns across village hillsides.
📜 Classic Poetry
Poets loved Liqiu for bringing emotional clarity and a crisp, clean atmosphere after months of oppressive heat:
《立秋》 — 刘翰 (Song Dynasty)
乳鸦啼散玉屏空，一枕新凉一扇风。
睡起秋色无觅处，满阶梧桐月明中。
(Young crows fly away, leaving the jade screen courtyard empty; a fresh coolness settles on my pillow with the flutter of a fan. Awaking, I look around for the colors of autumn—only to find parasol tree leaves scattered across the moonlit steps.)
3. Agricultural Wisdom
In rural farming communities, an old proverb states: “A rainy Start of Autumn means a bountiful harvest (立秋有雨样样收，立秋无雨收半秋).”
This term is the prelude to the golden harvest season. Farmers carefully guard against autumn droughts and pests while preparing to reap early corn, sorghum, and soybeans.