The traditional Chinese calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Frost's Descent, or shuang jiang, the 18th solar term of the year, begins on Oct 23 and ends on Nov 6.

As the last solar term of autumn, it marks a noticeable drop in temperature and the arrival of frost, signaling that winter is drawing near.

[Video provided by chinadaily.com.cn]

Here are eight things you should know about Frost's Descent.

Frosty autumn

Frost, the white ice crystals formed when water vapor near the ground freezes, begins to appear during this period. But in the lower reaches of the Yellow River region, frost tends to descend in late October or early November. As Frost's Descent comes, the arrival of frost marks the distinct atmosphere of late autumn.

Eating persimmons

It is believed that eating persimmons during Frost's Descent can help protect against the cold and strengthen the body. In the countryside, a common saying warns that your lips will chap or crack if you do not eat this seasonal fruit.

Eating apples

Apples are also recommended at this time for their well-known health benefits in both Eastern and Western traditions. A Chinese saying goes, "Eat an apple after meals, and even the elderly will stay as strong as the young." The wisdom echoes the well-known Western proverb, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples are thought to moisten the lungs, quench thirst, and promote digestion.

Eating pears

Pears are valued for their health properties during Frost's Descent. Eating pears can promote the secretion of body fluids, reduce internal heat, and decrease phlegm.

Eating duck

In southern Fujian province and Taiwan, eating duck on the first day of Frost's Descent is a cherished custom. As a local Fujian saying goes, "Even a year of nourishment is not as beneficial as nourishing the body on the first day of Frost's Descent." For locals, eating duck at this time is believed to build strength and store energy for the coming winter.

Eating chestnuts

Chestnuts are another seasonal food recommended during Frost's Descent. With their warm nature and sweet flavor, they are believed to nourish the spleen and stomach, improve blood circulation, and help relieve coughs and reduce phlegm.

Eating dates

Dates are one of the common seasonal fruits eaten during Frost's Descent. Dates are nutritious, rich in vitamins, and can nourish the blood, lower blood pressure, and strengthen immunity. However, overconsumption may be harmful, and eating rotten dates can cause headaches, dizziness, or even pose serious health risks.

Frost's Descent Festival

In areas such as Daxin county of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, people celebrate the first day of Frost's Descent as a special festival. On that day, local people offer sacrifices, perform traditional dances, and sing folk songs. With a history of more than 360 years, the festival commemorates Cen Yuyin, a heroine revered for her resistance against foreign aggression.

Vocabulary

霜降

shuāng jiàng

Frost's Descent

秋霜

qiū shuāng

autumn frost

吃枣子

chī zǎo zi

eating dates

生津降噪止痰

shēng jīn jiàng zào zhǐ tán

promote the secretion of body fluids, clear away internal heat, and reduce phlegm

一天一苹果，医生远离我。

yī tiān yī píng guǒ，yī shēng yuǎn lí wǒ。

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

板栗健脾胃，促进血液循环，止咳祛痰。

bǎn lì jiàn pí wèi，cù jìn xuè yè xún huán，zhǐ ké qū tán。

Chestnuts are good for nourishing the spleen and stomach, boosting circulation, relieving coughs, and reducing phlegm.

吃鸭子，贴秋膘，抵御寒冬。

chī yā zi，tiē qiū biāo，dǐ yù hán dōng。

Eating duck to gain weight and store energy for the cold winter.

霜降至，暮秋浓。

shuāng jiàng zhì，mù qiū nóng。

With Frost's Descent comes the deepening of autumn.

愿生活如霜枫静美，似檐下暖阳。

yuàn shēng huó rú shuāng fēng jìng měi，sì yán xià nuǎn yáng。

May life like a frost-kissed maple, remain serene and warm as the sun under the eaves.

此时露凝成霜遇寒而降，故名“霜降”。此时天地渐收生机，银杏叶如金蝶翩跹。撷菊蕊以寄情，品柿香而暖心。

cǐ shí lù níng chéng shuāng yù hán ér jiàng，gù míng “shuāng jiàng ”。cǐ shí tiān dì jiàn shōu shēng jī，yín xìng yè rú jīn dié piān xiān。xié jú ruǐ yǐ jì qíng，pǐn shì xiāng ér nuǎn xīn。

Dew congeals into frost with the cold, hence the solar term "Frost's Descent". Vitality of nature gradually fades, and ginkgo leaves flutter like golden butterflies.