霜降（Frost's Descent）

霜降（Frost's Descent）是中国传统二十四节气（the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms）中的第十八个节气。霜降期间，气候由凉向寒过渡，所以霜降的来临意味着“寒秋”的开始。

霜降是秋季的最后一个节气，在此期间，天气相较之前会冷得多，寒霜开始出现了。

Frost's Descent is the last solar term of autumn, during which time the weather becomes much colder than before and frost begins to appear.

但在黄河下游地区，初霜会在十月末或十一月初出现。随着霜降的来临，整个世界都充满了晚秋的气息。

But in the lower reaches of the Yellow River region, frost first appears in late October or early November. As Frost's Descent comes, the world is filled with the atmosphere of late autumn.

霜降节气习俗

吃柿子

Eating persimmons 

霜降时吃柿子能帮助人们御寒和保护骨骼。在乡下，人们认为，如果霜降期间不吃柿子，嘴唇会干裂。

Eating persimmons during Frost's Descent can help people resist the cold and protect the bones. In the countryside, people believe that their lips will crack if they don't eat persimmons during this period.

吃苹果

Eatingapples

中国有很多表达苹果益处的俗语，如“饭后一个果，老来赛小伙。”正如西方谚语所说：“饭后一个果，医生不找我。”

There are many Chinese sayings about apples' benefits, such as "Eat an apple after meals, even old men can be as strong as young men," just as the Western proverb goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

吃梨子

Eatingpears

霜降期的另一种推荐水果是梨子。吃梨可促进体液分泌（利尿），清热化痰。

The pear is another recommended fruit during Frost's Descent, which can promote the secretion of body liquids, clear away heat and reduce sputum.

吃鸭肉

Eating ducks

在福建有句俗语：“一年补透透，不如补霜降。”吃鸭子对当地人来说是一种“贴秋膘”的方式。

There is a saying in Fujian which goes, “Even nourishing all year is not as good as nourishing the human body on the day of Frost's Descent.” Eating ducks is a way for people there to gain weight. 

吃板栗

Eatingchestnuts

霜降时吃板栗，有益于身体健康。板栗性暖、味甘，对滋养脾胃、活血、止咳化痰有很好的功效。

Eating chestnuts during Frost's Descent is beneficial for one's health. Chestnuts have a warm nature and sweet flavor, and are good for nourishing the spleen and stomach, invigorating the circulation of blood, relieving coughs and reducing sputum.