Meaning:
The dew condenses, the autumn water dries up, the geese fly in, and the swallows fly back.
Source:
From "The Collection of the Seventy-Two Hours of the Moon Order".
Original text:
There are three phases of white dew: the first phase is the coming of swan geese, the second phase is the return of black birds, and the third phase is the flock of birds rearing their heads.
Translation:
There are three seasons of white dew: first, swans fly, second, swallows return to their nests, and third, flocks of birds store.
The wild goose comes:
The wild goose is big and the wild goose is small. They are two different birds. Swan geese fly north in February and south in August.
The black bird returns:
The black bird is the swallow. When the spring equinox comes and the autumnal equinox is approaching, when the cool breeze blows and the heavy branches are wet with dew, it is time for it to go. When the swallow leaves the nest, there will be no more cicadas. All things are pregnant with separation and sorrow in silence.
The hawthorns are red, the trees are covered with persimmons, but the branches and leaves are sparse, the hibiscus is wilted, the grass roots are yellow, and the first fallen leaves have begun to affect the thoughts of separation. The swallow leaves and Hong arrives, parting year after year, and the autumn light is approaching, and the years slowly pass by and the time passes in darkness.
Flying birds to feed shame:
Five days of "flocking birds to feed shame". This "shame" is the same as "delicacy", which is delicious food. "Xuanwu hides in the shade of trees, and red birds still keep shy." Keeping shy means that the birds sense the chilling atmosphere and store food for winter, just like hiding precious delicacies.
Extended information
As the temperature turns colder, migratory birds are preparing to fly south to find a warm place to spend the winter. The birds also begin to prepare fruits to store food to survive the winter. At night, you can see water vapor condensed into water droplets everywhere on the vegetation, hence the name white dew.
The "Collection of the Seventy-two Hours of the Moon Order" says: "The water, soil, and moisture condense into dew. Autumn belongs to gold, and gold is white. White is the color of dew, and the air begins to be cold." Dew is water droplets formed by condensation of water vapor on the ground or near-Earth objects due to lowering temperatures. Therefore, white dew actually means that the weather has turned cooler.
The Bailu solar term means that the cool autumn has truly arrived. In most parts of our country, the sky is clear, the clouds are clear, and the wind is gentle. It is a good time to travel.