二十四节气 | 霜降 Frost's Descent

—— From China Daily

霜降是中国传统二十四节气（the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms）中的第十八个节气，英文表达为Frost's Descent。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。

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.

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。

地面上的水汽遇冷凝结成白色冰晶，这就是所说的“霜”（frost）。这段时间里，植物慢慢失去生机，大地变得萧条，所以民间有“霜降杀百草”的说法。

During Frost's Descent, frost begins to appear. 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.

霜降时节，冰霜开始出现了。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。

受霜冻天气影响，一些成熟的水果变得格外美味。霜降期间具体有些什么好吃的和有趣的活动呢？一起来看看吧。

 

柿子正熟

霜降正是柿子成熟的时节。柿子营养丰富，具有清热润肺、防寒的功效。因此民间也有不少俗语来描绘吃柿子的好处，如“霜降吃柿子，不会流鼻涕”等。

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.

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。

 

苹果脆甜

霜降后的苹果糖度高，果肉也会变得更脆。在享受美味的同时，苹果具有的润肺、止咳、促消化的功能，也能帮助人们在秋季增强体质。

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."

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。”

 

梨熟压枝

梨子皮薄肉脆，清甜多汁，咬一口汁水四溢，像一股甘泉涌进了肺腑。所以小时咳嗽时，总会被大人叮嘱：“多吃点梨子呀，止咳的。”

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

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。

 

吃鸭

鸭肉性寒，味甘，具有滋阴补虚、清热润燥的效果。讲究秋季进补的福建省南部，有霜降当天吃鸭子的习俗。

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 duck is a way for people there to gain weight. 

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。

 

秋栗香

栗子以其独特的鲜甜口感和丰富的营养，享有“千果之王”美誉。糖炒栗子在北方素有“灌香糖”的称号，质量上乘的糖炒板栗更是讲究一个“中实充满，壳极柔脆，手微剥之，壳肉易离而皮膜不粘”的标准。

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.

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。

枣富含维生素，有助于补血降压，增强免疫力。霜降时节正值新鲜的枣上市，此时须注意，不当的食用方式会对人体造成危害。

 

吃枣

Eating too many Chinese dates could be harmful. Rotten dates can cause headaches and dizziness or even put people's lives in danger.

食用过量的枣对身体不好。腐烂的枣会导致头痛、头昏，甚至使人陷入生命危险。

 

壮族霜降节

晚稻收割结束之后的霜降期间，劳作了一年的壮族乡民们，用新糯米做成“糍那”、“迎霜粽”，招待亲朋好友。人们也趁农闲的机会交朋结友、走亲串戚、对歌看戏。2014年，“壮族霜降节”被列入第四批国家级非物质文化遗产（intangible cultural heritage）代表性项目名录。

In the Frost's Descent Festival, the Zhuang people offer sacrifices, dance and sing folk songs. 

霜降节仪式上，壮族人会献上贡品，唱起民歌，翩翩起舞。