“Late Clear”
By Du Fu, Tang Dynasty
The returning light shines through the thin clouds,
As the floating clouds have not yet returned.
The river rainbow brightens the distant drink,
As the rain in the gorge falls with the remaining flight.
The wild geese finally fly high away,
While the bears and tigers feel themselves getting fat.
The autumn equinox guest still remains,
As the bamboo dew falls gently in the evening.
The ancient text “Spring and Autumn Fan Lu: The In and Out of Yin and Yang” states: “Autumn equinox is when Yin and Yang are equal, hence day and night are equal and the cold and heat are balanced.“
Like the spring equinox, the autumn equinox is one of the earliest established solar terms by ancient people, marking the time when day and night are of equal length. After this, the nights in the Northern Hemisphere will gradually become longer.
According to the lunar calendar, the beginning of autumn marks the start of the autumn season, while the frost descent marks its end, with the autumn equinox being exactly the midpoint of these ninety days.
Since 2018, the “autumn equinox” has gained new historical significance – China’s Farmers’ Harvest Festival. This festival aims to celebrate the hard work of farmers and convey the happiness brought by the harvest.
The autumn equinox marks both the beginning of “autumn harvest and winter storage” and the end of “spring plowing and summer planting”. As a saying from North China goes: “White dew early, cold dew late, autumn equinox is the right time to plant wheat.“
This festival represents the importance and inheritance of the “Twenty-Four Solar Terms” and embodies the Chinese people’s respect for nature and their wisdom in living.
【Autumn Equinox · Three Phenomena】
【First Phenomenon – Thunder Begins to Cease】
Ancient people believed that thunder occurs due to the abundance of Yang energy, and after the autumn equinox, Yin energy begins to flourish, thus thunder ceases.
【Second Phenomenon – Insects Begin to Hide】
The mud from the door tiles is called “bad”, which is fine mud. According to the annotations in the “Book of Rites”, it is said that “bad” enhances the entrance of the hibernating insects, making the opening slightly smaller to prevent cold air from entering.
【Third Phenomenon – Water Begins to Dry Up】
Annotations in the “Book of Rites” state: Water is the essence of Qi, which flourishes in spring and summer, but dries up in autumn and winter as Qi returns. Due to the dry weather in autumn, water evaporates quickly, leading to lakes and rivers facing drought.
【Autumn Equinox · Health Preservation】
As a solar term with equal day and night, people should also follow the principle of Yin and Yang balance in health preservation, making corresponding adjustments in daily life and diet.
① Nourishing Lung Qi
After the autumn equinox, temperatures drop sharply, and rain becomes frequent, bringing cold air. If the body’s resistance is weak, it can easily lead to dry mouth, dry cough, and even respiratory diseases such as colds and asthma.
At this time, it is essential to pay attention to nourishing Lung Qi, adding clothing in response to weather changes, especially for the elderly, children, and those with weaker constitutions, who should pay extra attention to keeping warm.
In terms of diet, avoid raw and cold foods, drink more water, and consume foods that can generate fluids and moisten dryness, such as lotus root, grapes, tremella (silver fungus), and pears.
② Protecting the Stomach
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the autumn winds become tighter, and the cold becomes heavier, leading to cool dryness. The changes between warmth and coolness can easily lead to an increase in stomach diseases.
The stomach is very sensitive to cold stimuli; if not protected and dietary and lifestyle habits are not observed, it can lead to gastrointestinal diseases. Those with chronic gastritis should pay special attention to keeping the stomach warm.
③ Preventing “Heart Failure”
During the autumn equinox, the falling leaves and various desolate scenes can easily make people feel sad, sensitive, and suspicious, which can be detrimental to both physical and mental health over time, even leading to symptoms such as dizziness and palpitations, known as “heart failure”.
Therefore, it is important to adjust one’s mindset and prevent “heart failure”.
Maintain a calm attitude towards people and events, avoid being overly sensitive; when facing pressure and pain, communicate more with friends and family, and engage in physical exercise during leisure time, which is beneficial for health and broadens one’s perspective.
【Autumn Equinox · Autumn Freezing】
As the saying goes, “Spring Wrap Autumn Freeze“, experiencing some cold in autumn can remind the body to begin to conserve Yang energy, which is beneficial for the storage of Yang energy in winter, but not everyone can withstand the cold.
【Three Areas Not to Freeze】
⊙Lower Back should not be exposed to cold, as cold can easily invade the lower back and abdomen, leading to pain in these areas;
⊙Abdomen should not be exposed to cold, as the abdomen is Yin, and the spleen is the most Yin, which should not be exposed to cold; exposure can lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea, damaging the spleen and stomach over time;
⊙Back should not be exposed to cold, as cold can easily invade the lungs, leading to colds and fever.
【Four Groups Not Suitable for Autumn Freezing】
① Those with a weak cold constitution should avoid autumn freezing;
② Children with weaker constitutions, prone to colds and asthma, should not undergo “autumn freezing”;
③ Those who are ill should not undergo autumn freezing;
④ During fluctuating weather, autumn freezing is not advisable.
【Autumn Equinox Eating Autumn Vegetables · Cleansing the Body for Better Health】
The autumn vegetables eaten during the autumn equinox are actually a type of wild amaranth. In the Lingnan region, there is a custom called “Eating Autumn Vegetables on the Autumn Equinox“.
On the day of the autumn equinox, the whole village goes to pick autumn vegetables, and the harvested vegetables are cooked with fish slices in a soup called “autumn soup”.
There is a popular saying: “Autumn soup cleanses the organs, washing the liver and intestines. For the whole family, peace and health.” This is a prayer for family peace and good health.
Modern nutrition also shows that eating autumn vegetables can enhance disease resistance, whether stir-fried, cold tossed, or made into large dumplings, they taste excellent.
【Autumn Equinox · Tea Drinking】
【Oolong Tea】
Neither cold nor hot, with a moderate warmth, it has the effects of moisturizing the skin, soothing the throat, generating fluids, and clearing internal heat, allowing the body to better adapt to changes in the natural environment.
【Flower Tea】
Chrysanthemum tea protects the eyes and brightens vision, refreshing and sweet; jasmine tea calms the mind and nourishes the spirit, alleviating autumn dryness. Start the autumn equinox with a good mood with flower tea.
【Old Tea】
Three to five-year-old white tea, lacking coldness, becomes more balanced; aged pu-erh warms the abdomen and calms the mind, regulating the stomach. At this time, tea drinking should also follow the principle of “nourishing and collecting”.
Autumn equinox,
Separates the sultry heat of early autumn from the cold of late autumn,
Yet allows two temperatures to meet on the same day,
Transitioning, leaving behind two kinds of beauty.
May life be just as it is “divided”.
Carrying yesterday’s reluctance,
Yet not losing tomorrow’s expectations;
Imagining eternal stability,
Yet having the courage to face unpredictable winds and clouds.
Not competing, yet preserving a corner of tranquility;
Not holding back, yet striving for a bit of joy.
The troubles of daily life,
The difficulties of worldly ups and downs,
Distinguishing between good and bad, holding tight to principles,
Living out one’s own style.
The autumn equinox also tells people:
To make life more beautiful, one must understand “to divide and unite”.
A small cup of tea hides a little surprise
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