Frost's Descent: Embracing the Frosty Charm of Late Autumn

霜降：邂逅晚秋的霜雪韵味

As the 18th of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms, Frost's Descent marks the transition from cool autumn to chilly winter. When this solar term arrives, the air turns crisper, and the first frost starts to paint the world with a thin layer of white, signaling the official start of "cold autumn".

作为中国传统二十四节气中的第十八个节气，霜降标志着天气从凉爽的秋季向寒冷的冬季过渡。当这个节气到来时，空气愈发清爽，初霜开始为世界披上一层薄薄的白霜，正式宣告 “寒秋” 的开启。

 

 

1. The Science Behind Frost: Nature’s Late-Autumn Transformation

一、霜的奥秘：自然的晚秋蜕变

Frost forms when water vapor near the ground freezes into tiny ice crystals overnight, as temperatures drop below 0℃. This delicate natural phenomenon brings visible changes to the environment: leaves lose their vivid colors and wither, grass turns yellow, and the land takes on a quiet, serene look. Hence, there is a folk saying in China: "Frost's Descent withers all herbs", which vividly describes the impact of frost on plants.当夜间地面温度降至 0℃以下时，近地面的水汽会凝结成细小的冰晶，形成霜。这种微妙的自然现象为环境带来了显著变化：树叶褪去鲜艳色彩、逐渐枯萎，小草变黄，大地呈现出一派静谧安详的景象。因此，中国民间流传着 “霜降杀百草” 的说法，生动描绘了霜对植物的影响。

However, the first frost does not appear across China at the same time. In the lower reaches of the Yellow River, it usually arrives in late October or early November. As Frost's Descent progresses, every corner of the country is filled with the unique atmosphere of late autumn—cool winds, golden fallen leaves, and the faint crispness of frost in the air.但初霜并非在全国同步出现。在黄河下游地区，初霜通常在 10 月末至 11 月初降临。随着霜降节气的推进，全国各地都弥漫着晚秋独有的气息 —— 凉爽的微风、金黄的落叶，以及空气中淡淡的霜雪清冽感。

 

 

2. Seasonal Delicacies: Savoring the Best of Frost's Descent

二、节气美食：品味霜降的限定美味

The cold weather of Frost's Descent works like magic on food, making many fruits and ingredients more flavorful. It’s the perfect time to indulge in seasonal treats that warm both the body and the soul.霜降的寒冷天气仿佛对食物施了魔法，让许多水果和食材的风味更加浓郁。这段时间正是品尝应季美食的好时机，这些食物既能温暖身体，也能慰藉心灵。

Persimmons: The Sweet "Cold Fighter"

柿子：甜蜜的 “御寒小能手

”Frost's Descent is the peak ripening season for persimmons. After being touched by frost, persimmons become softer and sweeter, with a rich, honey-like taste. Nutritionally, they help clear heat, moisten the lungs, and keep the body warm. A popular folk saying goes: "Eating persimmons during Frost's Descent keeps runny noses away". In rural areas, locals even believe that skipping persimmons during this period may lead to chapped lips.霜降是柿子成熟的旺季。经过霜打后的柿子，果肉更软、甜度更高，带着浓郁的蜜香。从营养角度来说，柿子能清热润肺、帮助身体御寒。民间流传着一句俗语：“霜降吃柿子，不会流鼻涕”。在农村地区，人们甚至认为，霜降期间不吃柿子，可能会导致嘴唇干裂。

 

 

Crisp Apples & Juicy Pears: Nature’s Moisturizing Gems

脆苹果与多汁梨：自然的润燥珍宝

Apples harvested after Frost's Descent are exceptionally sweet and crisp, as the cold weather helps concentrate their natural sugars. Besides their delicious taste, apples also moisten the lungs, relieve coughs, and aid digestion—making them ideal for boosting immunity in autumn. There’s a Chinese saying about apples: "Eat an apple after meals, and even the elderly stay as strong as young men", which echoes the Western proverb "An apple a day keeps the doctor away".

霜降后采摘的苹果格外香甜清脆，因为寒冷天气帮助苹果浓缩了天然糖分。除了口感美味，苹果还能润肺止咳、促进消化，是秋季增强免疫力的理想选择。中国有句关于苹果的俗语：“饭后一个果，老来赛小伙”，这与西方谚语 “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”（一天一苹果，医生远离我）的理念不谋而合。

Pears, on the other hand, are perfect for combating autumn dryness. With thin skin, crisp flesh, and abundant juice, a bite of pear feels like a stream of sweet spring water nourishing the throat and lungs. No wonder parents often tell children with coughs: "Eat more pears—they help relieve coughs!" From a health perspective, pears promote body fluid secretion, clear heat, and reduce phlegm.而梨子则是对抗秋燥的佳品。梨子皮薄、肉脆、汁多，咬一口仿佛有清甜的泉水滋润咽喉与肺部。难怪家长们常对咳嗽的孩子说：“多吃点梨子呀，能止咳！” 从养生角度来看，梨子能促进体液分泌、清热化痰。

 

 

Chestnuts & Duck: Hearty Warmers for Frosty Days

板栗与鸭肉：霜天里的暖心美味

Roasted chestnuts, with their sweet aroma wafting through streets, are a classic symbol of Frost's Descent. Known as the "King of Nuts", chestnuts are warm in nature and sweet in taste. They nourish the spleen and stomach, improve blood circulation, and relieve coughs. In northern China, high-quality roasted chestnuts are valued for their plump flesh, brittle shells, and easy-to-peel texture—you can separate the shell from the flesh with just a light pinch.街头巷尾飘散着糖炒栗子的香甜气息，这是霜降时节的经典符号。板栗素有 “千果之王” 的美誉，性温味甘，能滋养脾胃、活血益气、止咳化痰。在中国北方，优质的糖炒栗子讲究 “中实充满，壳极柔脆，手微剥之，壳肉易离而皮膜不粘”。

In southern Fujian Province, where autumn nourishment is highly valued, eating duck on Frost's Descent is a long-standing tradition. Duck meat is cool in nature and sweet in taste, which helps nourish yin, replenish vitality, and relieve dryness. Locals follow the saying: "A whole year of nourishment is not as good as nourishment on Frost's Descent", so eating duck has become their way of "gaining autumn weight" to prepare for the cold winter ahead.

在注重秋季滋补的福建省南部，霜降吃鸭是一项由来已久的传统。鸭肉性寒味甘，能滋阴补虚、清热润燥。当地人信奉 “一年补透透，不如补霜降” 的说法，因此吃鸭肉成了他们 “贴秋膘” 的方式，为即将到来的寒冬做好准备。

Chinese Dates: A Nutritious Treat (with Caution)

红枣：营养美味需适量

Fresh Chinese dates hit the market just in time for Frost's Descent. Rich in vitamins, they help replenish blood, lower blood pressure, and boost immunity. However, it’s important to note that overeating dates can harm the stomach and spleen. Worse still, rotten dates may cause headaches, dizziness, or even life-threatening health issues—so always choose fresh, good-quality dates.新鲜的红枣在霜降时节恰好上市。红枣富含维生素，有助于补血、降压和增强免疫力。但需要注意的是，过量食用红枣会损伤脾胃。更严重的是，腐烂的红枣可能导致头痛、头晕，甚至危及生命 —— 因此务必选择新鲜、优质的红枣。

 

 

3. The Zhuang Ethnic Group’s Frost's Descent Festival: A Celebration of Harvest

三、壮族霜降节：一场丰收的庆典

For the Zhuang people, one of China’s ethnic minorities, Frost's Descent is more than just a solar term—it’s a lively festival. After finishing the late rice harvest, Zhuang villagers use newly harvested glutinous rice to make traditional snacks like "Cina" (a glutinous rice cake) and "Yingshuang Zong" (rice dumplings for welcoming frost). They invite relatives and friends to share these treats, celebrating the year’s hard work and harvest.

对于中国少数民族之一的壮族来说，霜降不仅是一个节气，更是一场热闹的节日。晚稻收割完毕后，壮族村民会用新收获的糯米制作 “糍那”（一种糯米糕）和 “迎霜粽” 等传统美食。他们邀请亲朋好友分享这些食物，庆祝一年的辛劳与丰收。

During the festival, people take advantage of the farming break to visit relatives, make new friends, sing folk songs, and watch traditional operas. The highlight of the celebration is the "Dalong Dance" (a dance performed with wooden sticks), where dancers move to rhythmic beats, praying for good weather and a bountiful harvest next year. In 2014, the "Zhuang Frost's Descent Festival" was listed in the 4th batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, preserving this precious cultural tradition for future generations.

节日期间，人们趁着农闲走亲访友、结交新朋友、唱民歌、看传统戏曲。庆典的高潮是 “打榔舞”—— 舞者随着节奏明快的鼓点起舞，祈求来年风调雨顺、五谷丰登。2014 年，“壮族霜降节” 被列入第四批国家级非物质文化遗产名录，让这一珍贵的文化传统得以传承。

 

 

4. Health Tips for Frost's Descent: Preparing for Winter

四、霜降养生：为过冬做好准备

As Frost's Descent paves the way for winter, it’s time to adjust our lifestyle to stay healthy. Here are some simple but effective tips: drink plenty of warm water to keep the body hydrated; avoid staying up late to let the body rest and recover; and properly "gain autumn weight" by eating nutritious, warm foods (like the seasonal delicacies mentioned above). By following these tips, we can build up strength and stay healthy through the cold months ahead.霜降为冬季的到来做好了铺垫，此时正是调整生活方式、保持健康的好时机。以下是一些简单实用的建议：多喝温水以保持身体水分充足；避免熬夜，让身体得到充分休息和恢复；通过食用营养丰富的温热食物（如前文提到的应季美食），合理 “贴秋膘”。遵循这些建议，我们就能积蓄能量，健康度过接下来的寒冷季节。

Frost's Descent is a time of transition—between seasons, between activity and stillness. It invites us to slow down, savor the last beauty of autumn, and prepare for the quiet of winter. Whether it’s biting into a sweet persimmon, watching the first frost, or joining the Zhuang people’s festival celebrations, every moment of this solar term is a chance to connect with nature and cherish life’s simple joys.

霜降是一个过渡的时节 —— 介于季节之间，介于热闹与静谧之间。它邀请我们放慢脚步，品味秋天最后的美好，为冬季的宁静做好准备。无论是咬一口香甜的柿子、观赏初霜，还是参与壮族的节日庆典，这个节气里的每一刻，都是与自然相连、珍惜生活简单乐趣的机会。