The 16th Solar Term - Autumn Equinox

On the Chinese lunar calendar, “Autumn Equinox” is the 16th solar terms, and be the beginning of autumn and this day is just at the middle point between “Autumn Begins” to “Hoar-Frost Falls”.

It arrives on September 22 to September 23 each year when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 180 degrees.

在中国农历的节气中，秋分意味着秋天的正式开始，这也是正处于立秋和霜降之间，每年秋分是在9月22-23日之间，太阳达到天文经度180度。

Equinox这次词源自于拉丁语意思是白天与夜晚等长，而秋分这一天也是昼夜等长的一天。之后白昼变短，黑夜便长。

When the cold air southward meets the declining warm and wet air, precipitation is the result. 

The temperature also drops frequently.

到来秋分之后，中国大部分的地区就已经进入了凉爽的秋季，这时候田里的庄稼已经长得十分饱满，

路边的梧桐树叶也被染成一片暖黄，不仅有热情的颜色，还有一场凉过一场的秋雨。

It is a good season to enjoy sweet-scented osmanthus full blossom around Autumn Equinox.

 At this time, it is hot in the day and cool in the night in South China, so people have to wear light clothing when it is hot, and put on more clothes when it is getting cooler. 

This period is named as "Gui hua zheng" in Chinese, which means osmanthus mugginess.

秋分时节也正是赏桂花的好时间。在这个时期，中国南方昼夜温差较大，所以大部分人都白天穿单衣，温度变凉的时候就要注意加衣服。

这段时期在古代又称之为桂花蒸，表示在桂花重新开放的时候出现的闷热天气。

Qiucai is taken back and made into soup with fish, named 'Qiutang' (autumn soup). 

There is a verse about the soup: 'Drink the soup to clear the liver and intestines, thus the whole family will be safe and healthy.'

采摘的秋菜和鱼一起熬成汤，这种汤被叫做“秋汤”。有句关于秋汤的顺口溜：“秋汤灌脏，洗涤肝肠，阖家老少，平安健康。