The Cold Dew falls at around October 8 every year when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 195°. At this time, temperatures are much lower than in the White Dew. The dew on the ground is colder and almost becomes frost. According to A Collective Interpretation of the Seventy-two Phenological Terms, the Cold Dew ‘begins in the ninth lunar month, during which the dew is cold and is about to congeal.’ The White Dew marks a transition from hot to cool weather when the summer is yet to end and one can still see shiny drops of dew in the morning. The Cold Dew, on the other hand, indicates that it is getting cooler and cold weather is around the corner. At the Cold Dew, drops of dew appear frosty. As an old saying goes, ‘when the Cold Dew is here, drops of cold dew are everywhere.’

中国古代将寒露分为三候：“一候鸿雁来宾；二候雀人大水为蛤；三候菊有黄华。”此节气中鸿雁排成一字或人字形的队列大举南迁；深秋天寒，雀鸟都不见了，古人看到海边突然出现很多蛤蜊，并且贝壳的条纹及颜色与雀鸟很相似，所以便以为是雀鸟变成的；第三候的“菊始黄华”是说在此时菊花已普遍开放。

In ancient China, the Cold Dew was divided into three pentads, namely, ‘the guest geese arrive’, ‘the sparrows enter the ocean and become clams’ and ‘chrysanthemums bloom yellow’. During this period of time, large numbers of swan geese fly to the South in single or zigzag lines. As it is late autumn and it is much cooler, most of the sparrows are gone. When ancient people saw lots of clams suddenly appear at the coast with shell patterns and colors very similar to those of sparrows, they thought the sparrows transformed into clams. The third pentad, ‘chrysanthemums bloom yellow’, refers to the fact that all of the chrysanthemums have blossomed at this time.

气候特点

Climate Conditions

气温降得快是寒露节气的一个特点。一场较强的冷空气带来的秋风、秋雨过后，温度下降8℃、10℃已较常见。不过，风雨天气大多维持时间不长（华西地区除外），受冷高压的控制，昼暖夜凉，白天往往秋高气爽。

During the Cold Dew, temperatures drop quickly. When the cold air brings autumn wind and rain, the temperature often drops by 8 to 10 degrees centigrade. But windy and rainy days don’t last long, except in Southwestern China. Cold anticyclones make it warm in the day and cool at night. In daylight, there is often clear sky and bracing air.

平均气温分布的地域差别明显。在华南，平均温度大多数地区在22℃以上，海南更高，在25℃以上，还没有走出夏季；江淮、江南各地一般在15℃-20℃之间，东北南部、华北、黄淮在8-16℃之间，而此时西北的部分地区、东北中北部的平均温度已经到了8℃以下。青海省部分高原地区平均温度甚至在0℃以下了。

Average temperature varies significantly among different regions. In South China, the temperature averages at above 22℃ and even over 25℃ in Hainan Province - it’s still summer in this part of the country. In the Yangtze-Huaihe river basin and to the south of the Yangtze River, the average temperature is usually somewhere between 15℃ to 20℃, and between 8℃ to 16℃ in the southern part of Northeast China, North China and the Yellow and Huai River valley. In some parts of Northwest China and the central and northern parts of the Northeast, the average temperature already drops to below 8℃. The temperature even averages at below 0℃ in some areas of the plateau in Qinghai Province.

需要注意的是，10月的气温下降明显，每当遇到秋雨，空气中丰沛的水汽很快达到饱和，有时出现雨雾混合或者雨后大雾的情况。特别是在夜间，更为多见。进入10月，在湿度比较大的情况下，可能形成成片的雾区，影响当地的交通运输和交通安全。

It’s worth noting that because temperatures drop markedly in October, when the cold air encounters autumn rain, the abundant water vapor in the air soon reaches saturation, and then it sometimes turns into misty rain or fog. This often happens at night. In October, when the humidity is high, there might be foggy regions formed in many areas of China, which affects local transportation and traffic safety.

由于受到高压控制，大气层结稳定，在连日无风的情况下，聚集在城市中的汽车尾气和工厂排出废气、粉尘不容易扩散，也会形成烟霾天气，如果空气中湿度大还可形成雾、霾混合的天气。小编在此提醒大家此时出门一定要戴好口罩。

High pressure systems keep the stratified atmosphere stable. If the wind doesn’t blow for days, car exhaust emissions and waste gases and dusts discharged from factories hardly disperse, resulting in smog. If the humidity is high, foggy and smoggy days could take over. The editor would like to kindly remind you to wear a face mask when going outside at such times.

节气习俗

   Customs

因寒露节气与重阳节相近，所以，寒露节气时许多习俗与重阳节相似，比如登高、赏菊、吃花糕、喝菊花酒等。

Since the Cold Dew often falls around the Double Ninth Festival, many of its customs are actually similar to those of the latter. For instance, both are occasions for hiking, chrysanthemum appreciation, eating flower cakes and drinking chrysanthemum wine.

吃花糕

Eating flower cakes

由于天气渐冷，树木花草凋零在即，故人们谓此为“辞青”。九九登高，还要吃花糕，因“高”与“糕”谐音，故应节糕点谓之“重阳花糕”，寓意“步步高升”。花糕主要有“糙花糕”、“细花糕”和“金钱花糕”。粘些香菜叶以为标志，中间夹上青果、小枣、核桃仁之类的干果：细花糕有3层、2层不等，每层中间都夹有较细的蜜饯干果，如苹果脯、桃脯、杏脯、乌枣之类;金钱花糕与细花糕基本同样，但个儿较小，如同“金钱”一般，多是上层府第贵族的食品。

Since it’s getting cooler and leaves and flowers are about to weather and fall, this is also known as a time to ‘bid farewell to the green color’. Apart from hiking during the Double Ninth Festival or Chongyang Festival, people also eat flower cakes as in the Chinese language, gao (gāo, cake) has the same pronunciation with gao (height). Therefore cakes for this occasion are also called Chongyang cakes, which symbolize promotion or progress. There are mainly three types of Chongyang cakes - ‘rough ones’, ‘fine ones’ and ‘coin ones’. ‘Rough cakes’ incorporate Chinese parsley, nuts, dates and walnut kernel. ‘Fine cakes’ have 2 to 3 layers, with minced preserved fruits - apple, peach, apricot, black date, etc. - at each layer. ‘Coin cakes’ are basically the same as fine ones except that they are as small as coins, hence the name. And they were usually enjoyed by the noble.

喝菊花酒

Drinking chrysanthemum wine

为除秋燥，某些地方有饮菊花酒的习俗。菊花酒古称“长寿酒”，是由菊花加糯米、酒曲酿制而成，其味清凉甜美。著名文学家陶渊明有诗曰：“菊花酿酒可延年，两鬓丝丝绕鹤发”，认为菊花酒不仅能消除忧虑，还有延年益寿的功效。

To prevent autumn dryness, many regions in China practice the custom of drinking chrysanthemum wine. In ancient times, chrysanthemum wine was also known as the ‘longevity wine’. The wine, made with chrysanthemums, glutinous rice and yeast, tastes cool and luscious. Tao Yuanming, a famous literatus in ancient China, once composed a poem that says to the effect that: ‘chrysanthemum, when used to make wine, can prolong life; and a person who drinks it can live until they have grey hair’. In other words, he believed that the wine can dispel anxieties and make one live longer.

赏红叶

Appreciating red leaves

寒露时节到香山赏红叶早已成为北京市民的传统习惯与秋季出游的重头戏。秋风飒飒，黄栌叶红。寒露过后的连续降温催红了京城的枫叶。金秋的香山层林尽染，漫山红叶如霞似锦、如诗如画。

Appreciating red leaves at the Fragrant Hill has become a tradition and an important outdoor activity in autumn for Beijing residents ever since a long time ago. This is a time of soughing autumn wind and red leaves. Continued temperature drops after the Cold Dew turn maple leaves red in Beijing. In late autumn, red leaves are everywhere in the Fragrant Hill, as if the hill is on fire. The scenery of the mountains makes one marvel at the picturesque sight of nature.

登高

Hiking

众所周知，重阳节登高的习俗由来已久。由于重阳节在寒露节气前后，寒露节气宜人的气候又十分适合登山，慢慢的重阳节登高的习俗也成了寒露节气的习俗。如果说白露时节天气转凉，开始出现露水，那么到了寒露，则露水增多，且气温更低。此时我国有些地区会出现霜冻，北方已呈深秋景象，白云红叶，偶见早霜，南方也秋意渐浓，蝉噤荷残。北京人登高习俗更盛，景山公园、八大处、香山等都是登高的好地方，重九登高节，更会吸引众多的游人。

It is known to all that the tradition of hiking during the Double Ninth Festival dates back a long time. Because the Double Ninth falls around the Cold Dew and the weather during the Cold Dew is very suitable for climbing, hiking also became a tradition observed for the Cold Dew. During the White Dew, it is getting cooler and drops of dew begin to appear. When the Cold Dew falls, more drops of dew are formed and the temperature is getting even lower. In certain parts of China, there are frosts. North China takes on a late autumn look with white clouds, red leaves and occasional early frosts. South China embraces a similar autumn scene with cicada becoming silent and lotuses dying. Beijingers love hiking. The Jingshan Park, the Badachu Park and the Fragrant Hill are popular choices for the sport and they attract more visitors at the Double Ninth Festival.

斗蟋蟀

Cricket fighting

白露、秋分和寒露，是老北京人斗蟋蟀儿的高潮期。蟋蟀儿也叫促织，一般听见蟋蟀儿叫就意味着入秋了，天气渐凉，提醒人们该准备过冬的衣服了，故有“促织鸣，懒妇惊”之说。据记载，斗蟋蟀儿始于唐朝天宝年间，南宋权相贾似道，“少时游博无行”，掌权后尤喜促织之戏，还专门写了一本书《促织经》。明朝宣德皇帝也爱斗蟋蟀儿，致使一只好蟋蟀儿价至数十金，上有所好，下必甚之，北京人玩蟋蟀儿，大概也始于明朝吧。

For indigenous Beijing residents, cricket fighting reaches its climax during the White Dew, the Autumnal Equinox and the Cold Dew. In China, the cricket is also known as the clothes-knitting reminder. Chirps of crickets remind people of autumn. As it is getting cooler, it’s time to prepare winter clothes, hence the old saying ‘when the cricket sings, the lazy wife is on alert’. Historical records show that cricket fighting dates back to the Tang dynasty. Later, during the Southern Song dynasty, a powerful minister named Jia Sidao, who used to wander around and does nothing when he was young, was particularly obsessed with cricket fighting after he became a man of power. He liked it so much that he wrote a book entitled the Book of Cricket. Emperor Xuande of the Ming Dynasty also had an intense interest in it so much so that a good cricket was as expensive as gold in the market. If the ruling elites like something, the commoners love it. Thus ordinary Beijing residents probably started to enjoy cricket battles since the Ming Dynasty.

秋钓边

Fishing in shallow waters

在我国南方，这个时节告别炎热，阳光和煦，正是出游的好时节，可赏花、吃蟹、钓鱼。寒露时节，气温下降迅速，深水处太阳已晒不透，鱼儿游向水温较高的浅水区，所以有“秋钓边”之说。

In South China, this is a season when it’s no longer hot and sunshine brings warmth - a perfect time for traveling. And one can appreciate flowers, eat crabs or go about fishing. During the Cold Dew period, temperatures decrease quickly and sunshine cannot reach the deep water thoroughly. So the fish swims to shallow waters where temperature is higher. Hence the phrase ‘fishing in autumn shallow waters’ in Chinese.

寒露养生

Health Tips

寒露的到来，气候由热转寒，万物随寒气增长，逐渐萧落，这是热与冷交替的季节。在自然界中，阴阳之气开始转变，阳气渐退，阴气渐生，我们人体的生理活动也要适应自然界的变化，以确保体内的生理（阴阳）平衡。

The Cold Dew marks a shift from hot to cold weather. As coldness builds up, things wither gradually. In nature, the airs of yin and yang changes, i.e., the yang declines and the yin grows. The physiological activities of the human body should adapt to these changes to ensure physiological balance (the yin-yang balance).

“寒露”时节起，雨水渐少，天气干燥，昼热夜凉。从中医角度上说，这节气在南方气候最大的特点是“燥”邪当令，而燥邪最容易伤肺伤胃。此时期人们的汗液蒸发较快，因而常出现皮肤干燥，皱纹增多，口干咽燥，干咳少痰，甚至会毛发脱落和大便秘结等。“金秋之时，燥气当令”，所以养生的重点是养阴防燥、润肺益胃。同时要避免因剧烈运动、过度劳累等耗散精气津液。在饮食上还应少吃辛辣刺激、香燥、熏烤等类食品，宜多吃些芝麻、核桃、银耳、萝卜、番茄、莲藕、牛奶、百合、沙参等有滋阴润燥、益胃生津作用的食品，同时增加鸡、鸭、牛肉、猪肝、鱼、虾、大枣、山药等以增加体质；少食辛辣之品，如辣椒、生姜、葱、蒜类，因过食辛辣宜伤人体阴精。室内要保持一定的湿度，注意补充水分，多吃雪梨、香蕉、哈密瓜、苹果、水柿、提子等水果。此外还应重视涂擦护肤霜等以保护皮肤，防止干裂。

During the Cold Dew period, there is less and less rainfall and it’s dry. It’s hot in the day and cold in the night. According to traditional Chinese medicine, this is a time of dryness in South China, which the lung and stomach is most vulnerable to. Sweat often evaporates quickly, making the skin dry. One could feel increased wrinkles, thirst, and would often cough. Sometimes the human hair would even fall off and constipation kicks in. It is said that ‘dryness rules the golden autumn’. Therefore the key for good health at this time is to nourish the yin to prevent dryness, and to moisten the lungs and the stomach. One should avoid strenuous exercise and over exertion. It is recommended to have less spicy, strong or roasted food and to have more sesame, walnut, tremella, radish, tomato, lotus root, milk, lily and straight ladybell, which are good for the yin and the stomach. Increased intake of chicken, duck, beef, pork liver, fish, shrimp, dates, and Chinese yam would make one stronger. Excessive intake of spicy substances like chili, ginger, green onion, and garlic would harm the yin within the body and thus should be avoided. Besides, a certain level of humidity should be kept indoors. One should also drink water regularly, and eat more fruits such as Chinese snow pear, banana, cantaloupe, apple, persimmon and grape. In addition, skin creams should be applied from time to time to keep the skin moist.  

中医在四时养生中强调“春夏养阳，秋冬养阴”。因此，秋季时节必需注意保养体内之阴气。当气候变冷时，正是人体阳气收敛，阴精潜藏于内之时，故应以保养阴精为主，也就时说，秋季养生不能离开“养收”这一原则。

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, to stay healthy in the four seasons, it’s important to nourish the yang in spring and summer and the yin in autumn and winter. Therefore, the yin within the human body must be nurtured in autumn. When it gets cold, the yang in the body subsides, and the remaining yin shall be nourished. Again, nourishment is vital in autumn.

精神调养也不容忽视，由于气候渐冷，日照减少，风起叶落，时常在一些人心中引起凄凉之感，出现情绪不稳，伤感的忧郁心情。因此，保持良好的心态，因势利导，宣泄积郁之情，培养乐观豁达之心是养生保健不可缺少的内容之一。

Mental wellbeing can’t be ignored either. As it gets cold, the hours of sunlight decreases and leaves drop. At such times, there are those who feel gloomy, sentimental, and even depressed. Therefore, in order to stay healthy, one should always be positive and vent distressful emotions through proper channels. In other words, one must try to stay optimistic and open-minded.

寒露相关诗词（欢迎试译）

月夜梧桐叶上见寒露

戴察

萧疏桐叶上，月白露初团。

滴沥清光满，荧煌素彩寒。

风摇愁玉坠，枝动惜珠干。

气冷疑秋晚，声微觉夜阑。

凝空流欲遍，润物净宜看。

莫厌窥临倦，将晞聚更难。

玉蝴蝶

柳永

望处雨收云断，凭阑悄悄，目送秋光。晚景萧疏，堪动宋玉悲凉。水风轻、蘋花渐老，月露冷、梧叶飘黄。遣情伤。故人何在，烟水茫茫。

难忘，文期酒会，几孤风月，屡变星霜。海阔山遥，未知何处是潇汀！念双燕、难凭远信，指暮天、空识归航。黯相望，断鸿声里，立尽斜阳。

八月十九日试院梦冲卿

王安石

空庭得秋长漫漫，寒露入暮愁衣单。

喧喧人语已成市，白日未到扶桑间。

永怀所好却成梦，玉色彷佛开心颜。

逆知後应不复隔，谈笑明月相与闲

败荷鹡鸰图

唐寅

飞唤行摇类急难，野田寒露欲成团。

莫言四海皆兄长，骨肉而今冷眼看。

翻译：李元星