The Autumnal Equinox is a harvest season. The crops in the fields are mature, the fruits and melons are fragrant, and the field is golden and yellow. The Autumnal Equinox (Chinese:秋分 qiū fēn) is the fourth solar term in autumn. “Equinox” refers to “half”. On both autumnal equinox and vernal equinox, the sun directly shines on the equator, equally dividing day and night, making the daytime and the nighttime equally long. The date of Autumnal Equinox is September 22nd, 23rd, or 24th each year depending on the movement of the sun. In 2021, Autumnal Equinox starts from 22nd September and ends on 7th October.
Gifting Autumn Cattle
In the past, farmers mainly counted on cattle to plow the fields, so cattle were particularly cherished. The autumn equinox is a time when people gift “autumn cattle pictures” to their neighbors. The picture of the autumn cattle is usually painted with twenty-four solar terms, and figures of farmers and cattle. The person who delivers the picture is generally skillful at talking and singing. Whenever they visit a house, they will improvise and speak auspicious words to lit up the vibe.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival is China’s traditional festival, which is on the
fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month of each year, generally around
white dews or Autumnal Equinox. The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Reunion Festival, is a day for families to reunite and enjoy domestic joy. The moon,grown full over the sea, is brightening the whole heaven. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, families will sit in the courtyard, enjoying the moon, appreciating osmanthus, and eating moon cakes together in happiness and harmony.
Eating Autumn Vegetables
Do you still remember “eating spring vegetables” on the day of the Vernal Equinox? In the Lingnan area, southern of China, there is also a custom of “eating autumn vegetables” during the Autumnal Equinox. “Autumn vegetable” here refers to a type of wild amaranth, commonly known as “autumn artemisia”. People use autumn vegetables and fish fillets to make delicious “autumn soup”.
Days Countdown to Chinese New Year
The current date is 22nd September 2021
131 days until 1 February 2022 (Chinese New Year)