The Bailu solar term is usually around September 8th
The Bailu has basically ended the sultry heat of summer, the weather is gradually getting cooler, and the cold dew condenses. The ancients matched the four seasons with the five elements. Autumn belongs to gold, and gold is white. White is used to describe autumn dew, hence the name "Bai Lu".
Bailu is the 15th solar term among the twenty-four solar terms, and the third solar term in autumn. The end of the Ganzhi Calendar month and the beginning of the You month are in conflict with each other; the sun reaches 165 degrees of the Yellow Longitude; It is celebrated on September 7-9 in the Gregorian calendar.
"White Dew" is an important solar term that reflects the growth of cold air in nature. As the weather gradually turns cooler, it is still hot during the day when there is sunshine, but the temperature drops quickly after dusk, and the temperature difference between day and night is large.
Customs of the Bailu solar term
1. Collecting clear dew
There is a folk custom of "collecting clear dew" during the Bailu solar term. Li Shizhen of the Ming Dynasty wrote "Compendium of Materia Medica" "" records: "When the autumn dew is heavy, collect it on a plate and fry it like glutinous rice, which will make people live longer and not be hungry." "The dew on the flowers makes people good at color." Therefore, collecting clear dew has become the most special "ritual" of white dew.
2. Sacrifice to King Yu
King Yu is the legendary flood control hero Dayu, who is called the "God of Waterways" by fishermen on the shores of Taihu Lake. Every year on the eighth day of the first lunar month, the Qingming Festival, the seventh day of the seventh lunar month and during the Bailu season, incense gatherings to honor King Yu are held here. Among them, the Qingming Festival and Bailu Spring and Autumn Festival are the largest, lasting a week.
3. Sip rice wine
The Xingning, Sandu and Liaojiang areas in Zixing, Hunan have always had the custom of making wine. Every year when the White Dew Festival comes, every family makes wine and must drink "local wine" when entertaining guests. The wine is made from glutinous rice, sorghum and other grains. It is warm, hot and slightly sweet, and is called "Bailu rice wine".