What does the autumnal equinox mean?

The autumnal equinox is one of 24 solar terms, which falls on September 22nd, 23rd or 24th. On this day, the northern and southern hemispheres are as long as day and night.

First, the significance of the autumnal equinox

The autumnal equinox solar term is around September 23rd every year, which has two meanings:

1.In 24 solar terms, the autumnal equinox falls within 90 days in autumn and is divided equally in autumn.

2. In this solar term, 24 hours a day are divided into days and nights, each with 12 hours.

The autumnal equinox means that most parts of the world are equally divided 24 hours a day, and there are no extreme days and nights in the world. At the autumnal equinox, the point of direct sunlight is on the equator, so the sun is almost direct to the equator on this day. After that, the point of direct sunlight moved south, and the days became shorter and the nights became longer in the northern hemisphere.

Second, the source of the autumnal equinox

The origin of autumnal equinox solar terms can be traced back to ancient astronomy and meteorology in China. In ancient times, the autumnal equinox was an important solar term, because the sun was directly on the equator on this day, and the time between day and night was equal, which meant that autumn was over half.

According to the records in the twenty-four solar terms, the autumnal equinox was the solar term in ancient Yue Bai, and the ancients held a Yue Bai ceremony on this day to pray for a bumper harvest and peace. At the same time, the autumnal equinox is also a festival for people to get close to nature, go hiking and enjoy the moon. On this day, people will enjoy the moon, taste moon cakes and enjoy lanterns.

In addition, the autumnal equinox is also a period when the temperature drops gradually. At this time, the temperature in the northern hemisphere gradually began to drop, and the weather gradually became cold. During the autumnal equinox, people should pay attention to keep warm and appropriately increase or decrease clothes to avoid catching a cold.

In short, the autumnal equinox solar term is a solar term with traditional cultural and historical origins, representing the harmony between nature and human beings, and also representing people's awe and gratitude for nature and seasons.

The custom of autumnal equinox

1, sacrifice to the moon

The autumnal equinox used to be the traditional "Moon Festival", and the Mid-Autumn Festival evolved from the "Autumn Moon Festival".

Step 2 eat autumn vegetables

Autumn vegetable is a kind of wild amaranth. On the day of the autumnal equinox, the whole village went to pick autumn vegetables and made soup with the best fish at home, which was especially delicious.

Step 3 send autumn cattle

At the autumnal equinox, according to agricultural activities such as farming, raising livestock, making sauces, drying in the autumn, and making wine. It is recorded in the almanac that people will make pictures or paper-cuts depicting cows and stick them on the walls of houses to show off the cows in autumn, so as to wish the crops at home a bumper harvest.

4. Fishing in autumn

The autumnal equinox season is the time when fish are fat, and fishing at this time will have a good harvest.