Frost's Descent is the 18th of the 24 solar terms, typically occurring between October 23rd and 24th of the Gregorian calendar each year. During this time, the temperature drops significantly, and dew condenses into frost, marking the official beginning of the transition from autumn to winter. In traditional agriculture, Frost's Descentg represents the final critical period for harvesting late-season crops like rice and sweet potatoes, while also requiring preparations against frost damage to ensure a smooth transition into winter for the crops. The diurnal temperature range reaches its annual peak during Frost's Descent, serving as the final frost warning of autumn and directly influencing agricultural schedules.
Historically, the Frost's Descent solar term was accompanied by a wealth of rituals and customs. Various folk "welcoming the frost" sacrificial ceremonies were held in different regions, where offerings were made to deities to give thanks for the year's harvest and to pray for a safe winter. Activities in tune with the season, such as "admiring chrysanthemums" and "ascending heights," were also popular. Emphasis was placed on the principle that "fortifying the body during Frost's Descent is better than during winter," nourishing the body and storing energy by consuming warming foods like persimmons, beef, and mutton. In some parts of southern China, people would also prepare cured meats and enjoy chestnuts at this time, stockpiling supplies for the winter. These customs all embody a life philosophy of seeking good fortune, avoiding harm, and living in harmony with nature.
To this day, Frost's Descent remains an important cultural marker for the Chinese people to adjust their pace of life and experience the changes of nature. Although the officially sponsored sacrificial activities of ancient times no longer exist, folk customs such as eating persimmons and consuming nourishing foods are still passed down in many areas. For urban populations, it serves as a reminder to pay attention to weather changes, add warmer clothing in a timely manner, and regulate health through seasonal diets. As a transitional solar term, the contemporary significance of Frost's Descent lies more in conveying a form of life wisdom: perceiving the rhythm of the heavens and earth in the cycle of the seasons, understanding the value of accumulation and settling in the alternation of cold and heat, and thus achieving a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
(By Yuan Ruichen/Wang Wenchao)
