Traditional culture in plain words
Start of Autumn (立秋)
Start of Autumn is one of the twenty-four solar terms of the traditional Chinese calendar. It marks the beginning of autumn, as the heat of summer slowly begins to ease.
At a glance
What the solar terms mean
Start of Autumn usually falls on 7 or 8 August. The weather is often still hot, but the traditional calendar counts this day as the start of autumn. For a very long time, it has been a moment to notice the turn of the season.
After this day, mornings and evenings begin to cool, while midday stays warm. People call this lingering heat the 'autumn tiger' (秋老虎), the last stretch of warmth before the true coolness of autumn.
Traditional customs in different places
One well-known custom is 'fattening up for autumn' (貼秋膘): families share a hearty meal to welcome the harvest season. In northern China, many homes eat dumplings and slow-cooked meat. In Jiangnan and in Taiwan, among other places, some families 'bite the autumn' (咬秋) with a slice of watermelon or other seasonal fruit, a way of welcoming the cooler days. In some mountain villages, people spread their harvest on rooftops and windowsills to dry in the sun, a colourful scene known as 'airing the autumn' (曬秋). Customs vary from place to place, yet all share the same feeling: thanks for the harvest and hope for the season ahead.
Solar terms belong to the traditional calendar and are shared for cultural reference. For weather, please follow the forecast from your local weather service.