Cold Dew is the 17th solar term. As such, it begins when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 195° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 210°. It more often refers in particular to the day when the sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 195°. On the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around October 8 and ends around October 23. The weather gradually becomes cold during this period. Frost may happen in some parts of China. Due to the scarcity of cloudy days, sunshine is plentiful and there is an invigorating autumn climate.

There are three things to look forward to in the Cold Dew period: the first is that wild geese migrate southward; the second is that sparrows transform into clams; the third is that chrysanthemums are in full bloom.

Chrysanthemums are the iconic flower of Cold Dew. As the Double Ninth Festival approaches, drinking chrysanthemum wine is popular in some places. Therefore, the Double Ninth Festival is also called “The Chrysanthemum Festival.” According to ancient records, drinking the wine made with chrysanthemums, poria cocos and pine oleoresin grant people long lasting youth. Ascending a peak and enjoying chrysanthemums has become very important to the festival. On the first day of Cold Dew, people in ancient China often fetched water from wells to make wines, which they believed could nourish the five internal organs.

On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, people often ascend heights and wear cornels. This custom aims to dispel evils, and originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). The legend is recorded in Xuqikaiji, written by Wu Jun of the country Liang. It’s sad that there was a person named Fei Zhangfang, who was good at magic arts and could tell of wealth and woe. Once he told his apprentice, Huan Jing that his family would be in danger on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month. To avoid disaster, Huan Jing was told to make a red bag for each of his family members, hold cornels in the bags, wear them on their wrists and climb to the peak of a mountain that day. While hikinig, they should drink chrysanthemum wine, Fei said. Huan Jing did exactly as his master told him. On that night when they came back from the mountain, all their chickens, dogs, cows and sheep were found dead. Fei told Huan Jing that the livestock had suffered the disaster instead, and everyone was happy.

N.B.: Cornel is a kind of medical material, fragrant but peppery with a warm nature. It can be used to treat colds and dispel toxins. The custom of wearing cornels to resist cold is somehow reasonable.

Source: www.th55.cn

Translated by Chen Yanqiu

Editor: Wen Yi