Start of Autumn, known as "Liqiu" in Chinese, is the 13th of the 24 yearly seasonal¹ cycles on the Chinese calendar, and begins this year on Tuesday, August 7.

 

秋天的开始，中国的“立秋”，中国日历中的第13个节气，已于8月7日本周二开始。

 

Based on observations of the sun's annual motion, people in ancient China created a lunar calendar, dividing a year into 24 segments, each given a specific "solar term" or "jieqi."

 

The system, predicting a general trend of temperatures and rainfall, as well as providing a time frame for agriculture, everyday life and festivals, has been passed down for generations in China, and is known as "China's fifth invention" as far as international meteorological circles are concerned.

 

These different periods are also marked nationwide with rituals and festivities, with variations among regions and ethnic² groups.

 

Of all 24 terms, Start of Autumn, one that normally falls between August 7 to 9 (corresponding to the moment when the sun reaches the longitude³ of 135°) marks a mid-point of China's traditional lunar calendar, as it symbolizes⁴ the end of a scorching⁵ summer and the arrival of a new fruitful season.

 

Over the past few thousand years, various customs have developed to celebrate Start of Autumn.

 

Officially, in ancient times, the emperor, accompanied by his officials, would hold an autumn welcoming ceremony on the day of the Start of Autumn.

 

In the folk level, numerous traditions are still alive today, covering cultural ceremonies, specialty⁶ foods and healthy living tips.

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