What are the legends behind the origin of the Cold Dew season?
Cold Dew is the 17th of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms. It occurs on October 8th or 9th each year when the sun reaches 195 degrees of the zodiac. According to "Yueling Qishi Hou Jie Jie," it says, "In the ninth month, the dew becomes cold, and will soon condense." According to "Tongwei · Xiaojing Yuanshen Qi," it states, "After the Autumn Equinox, fifteen days later, the Big Dipper points to Xing, which is the Cold Dew. It means that the dew is cold and about to condense." At this time, the temperature is lower than during the White Dew, there is more dew, and the previously white and crystalline dew on the ground is about to freeze into frost, carrying a chill, hence the name Cold Dew.According to ancient China, Cold Dew is divided into three periods:
"First period: swallows come in groups; second period: crows turn into shellfish; third period: chrysanthemums bloom yellow." During this season, swallows form a line or human shape and migrate south in large numbers. In late autumn, with the cold weather, crows disappear, and ancient people noticed many clams appearing by the sea, whose patterns and colors resemble those of crows, so they believed they were transformed from crows. The third period, "chrysanthemums begin to bloom yellow," indicates that at this time, chrysanthemums are widely blooming.
Traditional customs of the Cold Dew season
(1) Cold Dew Mountain ClimbingIt is well known that the custom of mountain climbing on the Double Ninth Festival has been around for a long time. Since the Double Ninth Festival falls around the Cold Dew season, the pleasant climate of the Cold Dew season is very suitable for mountain climbing, and gradually, the custom of climbing mountains on the Double Ninth Festival became part of the Cold Dew season. If the weather starts to cool down and dew appears during the White Dew, then by the Cold Dew, there is more dew and the temperature is even lower. At this time, some areas in China experience frost, northern regions show deep autumn scenes, with white clouds and red leaves, occasionally seeing early frost, while southern regions also gradually show autumn vibes, with silent cicadas and withered lotuses. Beijing people have a strong tradition of mountain climbing, with places like Jing Shan Park, Badashan, and Fragrant Hill being ideal spots for climbing. The Double Ninth Festival climbing event attracts many visitors. (2) Eating Pears in Cold Dew
Pears are abundant during the Cold Dew season and are the best fruit of this season. Pears have the effects of nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, relieving coughs, promoting blood production, and clearing heat. Pear flesh is sweet, tender, and juicy, and can be eaten raw, juiced, stewed, or made into syrup, effectively treating lung heat cough, measles, and elderly cough, as well as bronchitis. When combined with persimmons, honey, and sugarcane, the effects are even better. (3) Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine in Cold Dew
Since Cold Dew is close to the Double Ninth Festival, chrysanthemums are in full bloom. To eliminate autumn dryness, some regions have the custom of drinking "chrysanthemum wine." This custom, along with mountain climbing, gradually moved to the Double Ninth Festival. Chrysanthemum wine is brewed using chrysanthemums, glutinous rice, and yeast, historically called "longevity wine." It has a cool and sweet taste and offers benefits such as liver protection, eye health, brain function, and anti-aging. (4) Cold Dew Fishing
The Cold Dew season is an excellent time for fishing. After the White Dew, the weather gradually cools down, and water temperatures drop to a comfortable level for fish. At this time, fish that had suffered through the hot summer start to become active again, swimming around to search for food. Especially during the Cold Dew and Frost Descent seasons in late autumn, fish are more eager to eat to store energy for the winter, making them easier to catch. Anglers should seize this great opportunity. (5) Eating Flower Cakes in Cold Dew
As the weather gets colder and plants begin to wither, people refer to this as "saying goodbye to greenery." On the Double Ninth Festival, people climb mountains and eat flower cakes. Since "high" and "cake" sound similar in Chinese, these seasonal pastries are called "Double Ninth Flower Cakes," symbolizing "rising higher and higher." Flower cakes mainly include "coarse flower cakes," "fine flower cakes," and "money flower cakes." They are marked with some fragrant vegetable leaves, with dried fruits such as green fruits, small dates, and walnut kernels between layers. Fine flower cakes have 3 or 2 layers, with fine dried fruits like apple paste, peach paste, apricot paste, and black dates in between. Money flower cakes are similar to fine ones but smaller, resembling "coins," and were often enjoyed by aristocrats and noble families.
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