Cold Dew 寒露浓秋色，莫负好时光

One month ago, I talked about 白露 White dew. And today, I have another solar term for you: 寒露 Cold Dew. At this time, temperatures are usually lower than during White Dew in most areas of the country. There is a saying 白露身不露，寒露脚不露, which means you should pay special attention to keeping your feet warm in order to prevent yourself from catching a cold. However, climate change may make it feel much different during 寒露 than it was hundreds or thousands of years ago. 

For me, red is the most suitable autumn color. Two red fruits are now in, pomegranates 石榴 and persimmons 柿子. Pomegranates 石榴 have been cherished centuries due to their exquisite beauty and health benefits. The beauty of a pomegranate was depicted by famous painter, calligrapher and seal carver 吴昌硕, one of the most prominent artists in Chinese contemporary art. If you’ve been to 陆家嘴, you may have noticed a traditional house that stands out among all the skyscrapers. This is Wu Changshuo Memorial Hall. Wu wrote poems and painted Pudong’s countryside scenery, including blooming peonies and snow-capped crops. 

As for persimmons 柿子, there is this saying 立秋核桃白露梨，寒露柿子红了皮。It means persimmons will become ripe during 寒露. In China, a persimmon is a symbol of good luck. Since 柿 has a similar pronunciation as 事，people often say 柿柿如意 to express their best wishes.  Renowned painter 齐白石，particularly known for his depictions of shrimp and fish, had a special fascination for persimmons and his paintings tried to convey auspicious meanings. Using heavy ink, bright colors, and vigorous strokes, he created fresh and lively works that expressed his love of nature and life. 

Since hairy crab season is approaching. It reminded me of a saying that persimmons and hairy crabs cannot be eaten at the same time. It seems like everybody says so, but I’m not sure of the reason behind it. If you think you know why, please leave a comment with the explanation. 

As different regions in China take on a look of late autumn, Cold Dew is also a great time for hiking. We’ve got some pretty good hiking trails in Shanghai. For example, Sheshan Forest Park on the southwestern outskirts is a pleasant getaway from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai. There’s also a 6-kilometer trail around Dishui Lake. The trail is popular among hikers, joggers and bird watchers. 

寒露至，秋渐浓，天寒露重，望君珍重。