What does beginning of autumn mean by "biting autumn"? Do you mean eating watermelon?

What does beginning of autumn mean by "biting autumn"? Do you mean eating watermelon?

"Biting autumn", that is, eating watermelon, is a major dietary custom in beginning of autumn season in northern Beijing and Tianjin.

Beginning of autumn has the custom of eating watermelons on this day, which is called "biting autumn", commonly known as "biting melons", indicating that the weather turns cold and watermelons are scarce. Astronomical experts said that "beginning of autumn" is a traditional festival with a long history. On this day, folk customs such as pasting autumn fat and biting autumn are popular in China. In China, every solar term is indispensable, and beginning of autumn is no exception.

On this day in beginning of autumn, it is popular to "paste autumn fat" in some areas in northern China. In dog days, people's appetite is generally bad, so many people will lose weight. Of course, if you lose weight, you have to make up. The remedy is to go to beginning of autumn to eat delicious food. Of course, meat is preferred. On this day, ordinary people eat stewed pork elbows, while cultured people eat boiled pork, braised pork, braised pork and all kinds of meat dumplings, braised ducks, mutton skewers and hot pot.

In addition to beginning of autumn's "sticking autumn fertilizer", Tianjin and other places are also popular with "biting autumn". Like "biting spring", people believe that eating watermelon in early autumn can avoid diarrhea in winter and the next spring.

In addition, on this day in early autumn, other parts of our country also have the custom of eating eggs and peaches.

The origin of beginning of autumn's biting;

Although watermelon was introduced into the Central Plains from the Song Dynasty, it was not widely planted, so the custom of eating watermelon in beginning of autumn was not formed at that time. However, in the western region, in the origin of watermelon, the custom of eating watermelon in beginning of autumn is prevalent. Because the Western Regions are located in the northwest of China, and the latitude is high, watermelons have just entered the picking period around beginning of autumn, so it is an early adopter to eat watermelons in beginning of autumn. This custom influenced the south in Qing Dynasty, when watermelons in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai had entered the final market. People gave various explanations for why beginning of autumn ate watermelons.

Some people say that eating watermelon in beginning of autumn can eliminate the stagnant air accumulated in summer, while others say that it can accumulate "prestige" for winter. In fact, it is only the influence of northern customs. However, it should be admitted that after beginning of autumn, the weather became colder and the number of watermelons on the market decreased. People eat watermelon again in early autumn, which means saying goodbye.

Nantong has the custom of eating watermelon in beginning of autumn. According to the old people, beginning of autumn eats watermelon, which can rot pig hair. It means that it is a good hope to remove some garbage hidden in your stomach when you eat at ordinary times.

According to "Baner Qiuyuzhai Essay", women in the western regions choose to touch melons in the fields at the beginning of autumn night, which is called "touching autumn". It may be related to the shape of watermelon like a pregnant woman's stomach. Melon has a son, which symbolizes having a son. In the custom of China, "melon" is always closely related to reproduction.