Cold Dew
The dew turns cold, on the verge of frost. The last geese arrive as honored guests, chrysanthemums open gold — late autumn's chill rises from the ground.
A curling, ceaseless cool wind stirs;
chill and desolate, the cold dew falls.
— Bai Juyi (Tang), “By the Pond”
袅袅凉风动
凄凄寒露零
白居易 · 池上
凄凄寒露零
白居易 · 池上
Raven Teal
Three Pentads
三候The ancients divided each solar term into three pentads of five days, recording nature's subtle changes.
I
一候 鸿雁来宾
First pentad — The last geese arrive as guests
II
二候 雀入大水为蛤
Second pentad — Sparrows seem to become clams in the sea
III
三候 菊有黄华
Third pentad — Chrysanthemums bloom yellow
Seasonal Palette
节气色谱One leading color with three companions, all drawn from the traditional Chinese color canon.
鸦青#424C50
yāqīng · Raven Teal
菊蕾白#E9E5D2
júlěibái · Chrysanthemum Bud
枯荷绿#878D6C
kūhélǜ · Withered Lotus
暮云灰#9A9CA3
mùyúnhuī · Dusk Cloud Grey
Customs
风物Climbing heights near the Double Ninth, with dogwood sprigs and chrysanthemum wine.
登高——寒露近重阳,登高望远,佩茱萸、饮菊花酒。
Eating sesame to moisten and nourish against autumn dryness.
吃芝麻——「寒露吃芝麻」,润燥养肺,以应秋燥。