中國(guó)傳統(tǒng)的農(nóng)歷將一年分為24個(gè)節(jié)氣，其中立秋是一年中第13個(gè)節(jié)氣，今年的立秋從8月7日開始，至8月22日結(jié)束。
Start of Autumn reflects the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The fruitful season is approaching.
立秋預(yù)示著夏季的結(jié)束和秋季的開始，碩果金秋即將到來。
In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. But solar term culture is still useful today to guide people’s lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and even healthy living tips that correspond with each term.
在中國(guó)，24節(jié)氣是數(shù)千年前指導(dǎo)人們農(nóng)業(yè)生產(chǎn)的金科玉律。然而即使在現(xiàn)代，節(jié)氣文化也依然通過與每個(gè)節(jié)氣相對(duì)應(yīng)的特殊食物、文化儀式、以及健康生活指南指導(dǎo)著人們的生活。
The following are 9 things you should know about Start of Autumn.
以下就是關(guān)于立秋你可能不知道的9件事。
"Autumn Tiger"
一、秋老虎
Although Start of Autumn indicates the beginning of autumn, hot weather will not come to an end. The period of hot days after Start of Autumn, usually lasting for 30 days, is called "Autumn Tiger" or "Indian Summer." Because of decreasing precipitation, it is even more sweltering during this period than during Major Heat.
雖然立秋預(yù)示著秋天的開始，但是炎熱的天氣還遠(yuǎn)沒有結(jié)束。立秋過后，炎熱的天氣通常還會(huì)再持續(xù)30天，這段時(shí)間被稱之為“秋老虎”，北美人稱之為“印第安夏”。這一段時(shí)間甚至?xí)却笫钸�要熱。
Fleshing out in autumn
二、貼秋膘
On the first day of the Start of Autumn, usually people will weigh themselves and compare their weight to what it was at the Start of Summer. If one has lost weight during the summer, then at the beginning of autumn, he or she needs to flesh out by eating many different kinds of delicious food, especially meat.
在立秋第一天，人們通常會(huì)稱自己的體重，和立夏時(shí)的體重作比較。如果在夏天體重下降了，那么秋天開始的時(shí)候，人們就會(huì)吃許多美味的食物來進(jìn)補(bǔ)，特別是肉食。
Gathering crops
三、秋收
Start of Autumn is a big solar term for farmers. It is time to gather crops. There is a saying: "If it rains on the day of the Start of Autumn, a good harvest is expected."
對(duì)于農(nóng)民來說，立秋是一個(gè)非常重要的節(jié)氣——收莊稼的時(shí)候到了!有句諺語(yǔ)說得好“立秋下雨萬(wàn)物收”，即是說立秋如果下雨就會(huì)有好收成。
Eating peaches
四、吃桃子
In Hangzhou, people eat peaches on the Start of Autumn day. The peach stones are kept until New Year’s Eve and thrown into the stove, burned into ash. People believed that in this way, plagues could be prevented for the whole year.
在杭州，人們有在立秋當(dāng)天吃桃子的習(xí)俗。吃完桃子之后，桃核會(huì)一直保存到除夕，然后扔進(jìn)爐子里燒成灰。人們相信這樣可以全年預(yù)防瘟疫。
Eating longans
五、吃桂圓
The Start of Autumn period is harvest time for Taiwan longan. People believe that eating longan will help their descendants become senior officials.
立秋是臺(tái)灣桂圓豐收的時(shí)節(jié)。人們認(rèn)為吃桂圓可以幫助子孫后代當(dāng)大官。
Eating dumplings
六、吃餃子
In Shandong province, people make dumplings during the Start of Autumn, and they call it "Eating the Autumn". On the day of Start of Autumn, senior members of the family will stand in the middle of the hall, worshiping a bowl of cereal, and praying for the harvest in autumn. Most of the families will eat dumplings together after Start of Autumn day.
在山東，人們會(huì)在立秋包餃子吃，這被稱為“咬秋”。在立秋那天，家里的老人會(huì)站在屋子中間，守著一碗麥片粥，祈求秋天豐收。立秋過后，大多數(shù)家庭都會(huì)在一起吃餃子。
Eating red beans
七、吃紅豆
Starting from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Song Dynasty (960-1279), people in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, have eaten red beans on Start of Autumn day. They take seven to 14 little beans, swallowing them with well water. When taking the beans, one must face west, it is said, so as not to get dysentery during the autumn.
從唐宋兩朝開始，浙江義烏的人們就有了在立秋吃紅豆的習(xí)俗。他們會(huì)拿出7到14顆小紅豆，用井水服用。據(jù)說在吃紅豆時(shí)，人們必須面朝西邊，以免在秋天的時(shí)候患上痢疾。
Eating gourds
八、吃瓜
During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), people would put gourds outside for a day before the Start of Autumn, and eat them on Start of Autumn day to drive off the summer heat. Today people in Tianjing still keep this custom, believing that eating melons such as towel gourd, white gourd and bitter gourd can prevent diarrhea in autumn and the coming winter and spring.
清朝時(shí)，人們會(huì)在立秋前一天在屋子外面掛一根瓜，然后在立秋當(dāng)天吃掉，從而祛除夏季的酷暑。現(xiàn)在天津的人們?nèi)匀槐Ａ粲羞@一習(xí)俗，認(rèn)為吃絲瓜、冬瓜、苦瓜等食物可以預(yù)防秋冬春季腹瀉。
"Touching Autumn"
九、“摸秋”
There is the custom of "Touching Autumn" in the northern part of Yancheng, Jiangsu province. On the eve of Start of Autumn, people can touch and take for free all kinds of fruits as they like in private or public gardens, and the owners will not be angry, no matter how much they lose. Many gardeners even leave some mellow fruits in the field on purpose for the guests during the night.
江蘇鹽城北部地區(qū)有一個(gè)“摸秋”的習(xí)俗。在立秋前一天晚上，人們可以在公共或私人果園里隨意摘取各種水果，而無(wú)論損失多少主人都不會(huì)生氣。有些果園主人甚至還會(huì)專門為晚上來摸秋的客人準(zhǔn)備許多成熟的水果。
本文來自：逍遙右腦記憶 http://m.yy-art.cn/chuzhong/1304776.html
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