Frost’s Descent

Frost‘s Descent, or Shuangjiang, is the 18th solar term and the last solar term of autumn. It begins around October 23 and ends around November 6. During this period, the weather becomes much colder than before, and frost begins to appear as white ice crystals form from frozen water vapor near the ground. According to China Daily, Frost’s Descent signifies the upcoming winter and the arrival of late autumn.

Food Customs:

Frost‘s Descent is strongly associated with nourishing the body before winter. A popular folk saying goes, “Nourishing in winter is not as good as nourishing during Frost’s Descent”. According to People‘s Daily and China Daily, people eat persimmons during this period to resist the cold and strengthen bones — in rural areas, it is believed that lips will crack if one does not eat persimmons during Frost’s Descent. Apples are also recommended, as they can moisten the lungs, quench thirst, and aid digestion, with a Chinese saying: “Eat an apple after meals, even old men can be as strong as young men”. Pears help promote body fluids, clear away heat, and reduce phlegm.

In south Fujian province and Taiwan, it is a custom to eat duck on the first day of Frost‘s Descent. A Fujian saying goes, “Even nourishing all year is not as good as nourishing the human body on the first day of Frost’s Descent.” Eating duck is a way for people there to gain weight and build strength. Chestnutsare beneficial for nourishing the spleen and stomach, invigorating blood circulation, and relieving coughs. Dates are also in season, nutritious with many vitamins, and can nourish the blood, decrease blood pressure, and improve immunity. In Beijing, people traditionally enjoy copper pot mutton hotpot or grilled meat to “put on autumn fat”  — a way of storing energy for the cold months ahead.

Dressing and Health:

As Frost‘s Descent arrives, the focus shifts to keeping warm and protecting the joints. According to official health guidance, people should protect the knees and keep feet warm, avoiding thin socks and boat-shaped shoes. Soaking feet in warm water at night is recommended to prevent cold from entering the body. The saying “Frost’s Descent passes, all plants wither” reminds people to prevent nighttime wind from invading during sleep, which can cause body aches the next day. It is also a time to adjust one‘s emotional state to avoid “autumn sadness”, and to engage in gentle exercises such as Baduanjin or Tai Chi.

Source: Chinajob