Start of Autumn, the 13th solar term of the year, begins this year on Aug 7 and ends on Aug 22. Start of Autumn reflects the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The fruitful season is approaching.
Although Start of Autumn indicates the beginning of autumn, hot weather will not come to an end. The period of hot days after Start of Autumn, usually lasting for 30 days, is called "Autumn Tiger" or "Indian Summer." Because of decreasing precipitation, it is even more sweltering during this period than during Major Heat.
On the first day of the Start of Autumn, usually people will weigh themselves and compare their weight to what it was at the Start of Summer. If one has lost weight during the summer, then at the beginning of autumn, he or she needs to flesh out by eating many different kinds of delicious food, especially meat.
Start of Autumn is a big solar term for farmers. It is time to gather crops. There is a saying: "If it rains on the day of the Start of Autumn, a good harvest is expected."
“Biting autumn” is a folk custom that signifies biting onto autumn and not letting it go. Many believe that eating a particular kinds of food on start of autumn, in most cases watermelon, can bring along a healthy year. “Biting autumn” can be taken as a sentimental gesture that celebrates good harvest.
In ancient China, weight lifting contests were often held during start of autumn. People lifted rocks, pulled arches with weights and tossed locks made of rocks in order to demonstrate their strength.
Source: Anhui
Editor: GAO Yuan
