When does autumn begin?

August 7th or 8th every year is beginning of autumn.

Beginning of autumn is one of the twenty-four solar terms, which generally appears on August 7th or 8th every year, and is the first solar term in autumn. Beginning of autumn marks the beginning of spring and autumn. The weather turns cold and the temperature drops gradually. In ancient times, people usually began to prepare for the autumn harvest around this solar term, because after beginning of autumn, the weather gradually cooled down, which was suitable for crop maturity and harvest.

In the traditional culture of China, beginning of autumn is an important solar term with rich folk activities. For example, in rural areas, people will hold ancestor worship ceremonies on this day to pray for ancestors to bless the autumn harvest. Besides, beginning of autumn is also an important festival, such as Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day. People will celebrate and sacrifice before and after the solar terms.

Related customs in early autumn

1, Sticking Autumn Fat: Sticking Autumn Fat means that on this day in beginning of autumn, people will eat a plate of fat or boil some eggs. This custom originated from ancient agricultural society. People will slaughter poultry in early autumn to prepare for the autumn harvest ceremony. In modern society, people will still make some dietary adjustments before and after this solar term to adapt to the seasonal changes.

2. Autumn Busy Meeting: Autumn Busy Meeting means that on this day in early autumn, people will hold some business activities, exchange materials and information, and prepare for the autumn harvest. This custom originated from the ancient farming society, and people began to prepare for autumn farming activities on this day, including seeds, farm tools, labor and so on. In modern society, the autumn rush will gradually evolve into some rural fairs and temple fairs.

3. Touching autumn: Touching autumn means that on the day when autumn begins, people will touch some fruits and vegetables to pray for a bumper harvest and peace in autumn. This custom originated from ancient farming society, and people will start harvesting autumn crops, including fruits and vegetables, on this day.

The above contents refer to Baidu Encyclopedia-beginning of autumn.