Cold Dew

First Pentad - Wild Geese Arrive as Guests: Wild geese arrive in flocks from the north, with migration intensifying.

Second Pentad - Sparrows Enter the Great Waters and Become Clams: According to legend, sparrows enter the sea and transform into clams, symbolizing migratory birds flying south and clam shells with patterns resembling sparrow spots found on the seashore.

Third Pentad - Chrysanthemums Show Yellow Blossoms: Chrysanthemums begin to turn yellow, autumn scenery reaches its peak, frost approaches and dew turns cold.

Daily Routine: Sleep and rise early, add clothing in morning and evening, pay attention to keeping knees, back, neck and shoulders warm; maintain appropriate indoor humidity to prevent dryness and protect the throat.

Diet: Moisten lungs and benefit qi, reduce pungent foods and increase sour foods. Consume pears, lily bulbs, white fungus, lotus root, sesame, honey, and Chinese yam; reduce spicy, dry-heating, and cold raw foods and iced drinks.

Exercise: Moderate aerobic exercise and stretching, such as walking, tai chi, and stretching; temperatures are low in early morning, wait for sunrise to warm up slightly before exercising, with light sweating as the measure.

Mental Well-being: Conform to autumn qi's gathering inward nature, maintain calm mind and tranquil spirit; reading quietly, sitting meditation, and short outings to nature help harmonize emotions.

Chrysanthemum Appreciation and Tea Drinking: Around Cold Dew, chrysanthemums begin to flourish. Folk customs include appreciating chrysanthemums and drinking chrysanthemum tea, symbolizing clearing the mind and brightening the eyes.

Crabs at Their Fattest and Freshest: Water towns in the Yangtze River region enjoy seasonal crabs, emphasizing the pairing with ginger and vinegar to warm the middle and transform dampness.

Climbing Heights and Looking into the Distance: During the time when forests display their full autumn colors, people climb high and gaze far, symbolizing prayers for safety and fortune; close in timing to the Double Ninth Festival.

Collecting Dew and Brewing Wine: Some regions have the small custom of collecting clear dew and brewing dew wine, symbolizing clear moisture and prayers for safety.

Cold Dew follows Autumn Equinox and precedes Descent of Frost. Its seasonal characteristics are cold dew approaching frost, increased temperature difference between day and night, and increasing frequency of cold air processes.

Astronomical Significance: On Cold Dew day, the sun reaches 195° ecliptic longitude. The point of direct sunlight moves south, daylight shortens and nights lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere, and the earth's surface radiates heat more quickly.

Agricultural Guidance: The north monitors autumn grain harvest and frost warnings, preventing wind and frost; the south strengthens late rice water-fertilizer management and pest control in the later stages, paying attention to lodging and insufficient grain filling under the influence of cold air.