Why does the Chushu solar term come after Liqiu?
Liqiu is the 13th solar term in the 24 solar terms, and it marks the transition from the hot summer to the cool autumn. However, there is a big difference between the north and the south. Generally, after Liqiu, the weather in the north becomes cooler in the morning and evening. In contrast, even after Liqiu, the southern regions still feel very hot. For most areas in the south, the heat remains strong in August. Chushu is the 14th solar term in the 24 solar terms. The word "chu" means to hide or to end, and the arrival of Chushu signifies that the hot summer has officially ended. Therefore, Chushu comes after Liqiu.
What are the folk customs around Chushu?
Boiling Medicinal Tea
This custom has been popular since the Tang Dynasty. During the Chushu period, every household has the habit of boiling cooling tea. They go to the pharmacy to get a prescription, then boil the tea at home for drinking. It is believed that entering autumn should eat something "bitter," which is beneficial for clearing heat, reducing fire, aiding digestion, and eliminating lung heat.
Worshipping the Earth God
The Chushu solar term coincides with the harvest time of crops, so farmers hold various ceremonies to thank the Earth God. Some bring livestock to worship at the Earth God temple, while others plant banners in the middle of the fields to express gratitude. Some people even refrain from washing their feet when returning home from the fields on this day, fearing that the hard-earned harvest might be washed away.
Releasing River Lanterns
River lanterns, also known as "lotus lanterns," usually have a lamp or candle placed at the bottom. They are released into rivers, lakes, and seas during the Zhongyuan night, allowing them to float freely. Releasing river lanterns is intended to redeem the souls of those who drowned and other wandering spirits.
Fishing Festival
For coastal fishermen, the period after Chushu is a great time for fishing. Every year, on the Chushu solar term, a grand Fishing Festival is held along the coast of Zhejiang Province. On the day when the fishing ban in the East China Sea ends, a grand opening ceremony is held to send off the fishermen heading to sea.
Eating Ducks
Ducks are sweet and cold in nature, so there is a traditional custom of eating ducks during Chushu. There are many ways to cook them, such as boiled duck, lemon duck, ginger duck, roasted duck, lotus leaf duck, and walnut duck. Beijing still maintains this tradition. On Chushu, people in Beijing often go to stores to buy "Chushu Lily Duck."
Eating Longan with Porridge
In Fuzhou, a traditional custom is to eat longan with porridge during Chushu. Since the weather is very hot in summer, people lose a lot of energy, and eating longan can help replenish energy. Longan is slightly warm in nature and is good for the heart and spleen, nourishing blood and qi. The old way of eating is to peel a bowl of longan and mix it with porridge.
Ancestral Worship and Welcoming Autumn
Most folk customs around Chushu are related to ancestral worship and welcoming autumn. During the period around Chushu, there are folk activities celebrating the Zhongyuan Festival, commonly known as "the 15th day of the 7th lunar month" or "Zhongyuan Festival."
This custom has been popular since the Tang Dynasty. During the Chushu period, every household has the habit of boiling cooling tea. They go to the pharmacy to get a prescription, then boil the tea at home for drinking. It is believed that entering autumn should eat something "bitter," which is beneficial for clearing heat, reducing fire, aiding digestion, and eliminating lung heat.
Worshipping the Earth God
The Chushu solar term coincides with the harvest time of crops, so farmers hold various ceremonies to thank the Earth God. Some bring livestock to worship at the Earth God temple, while others plant banners in the middle of the fields to express gratitude. Some people even refrain from washing their feet when returning home from the fields on this day, fearing that the hard-earned harvest might be washed away.
Releasing River Lanterns
River lanterns, also known as "lotus lanterns," usually have a lamp or candle placed at the bottom. They are released into rivers, lakes, and seas during the Zhongyuan night, allowing them to float freely. Releasing river lanterns is intended to redeem the souls of those who drowned and other wandering spirits.
Fishing Festival
For coastal fishermen, the period after Chushu is a great time for fishing. Every year, on the Chushu solar term, a grand Fishing Festival is held along the coast of Zhejiang Province. On the day when the fishing ban in the East China Sea ends, a grand opening ceremony is held to send off the fishermen heading to sea.
Eating Ducks
Ducks are sweet and cold in nature, so there is a traditional custom of eating ducks during Chushu. There are many ways to cook them, such as boiled duck, lemon duck, ginger duck, roasted duck, lotus leaf duck, and walnut duck. Beijing still maintains this tradition. On Chushu, people in Beijing often go to stores to buy "Chushu Lily Duck."
Eating Longan with Porridge
In Fuzhou, a traditional custom is to eat longan with porridge during Chushu. Since the weather is very hot in summer, people lose a lot of energy, and eating longan can help replenish energy. Longan is slightly warm in nature and is good for the heart and spleen, nourishing blood and qi. The old way of eating is to peel a bowl of longan and mix it with porridge.
Ancestral Worship and Welcoming Autumn
Most folk customs around Chushu are related to ancestral worship and welcoming autumn. During the period around Chushu, there are folk activities celebrating the Zhongyuan Festival, commonly known as "the 15th day of the 7th lunar month" or "Zhongyuan Festival."
