Beginning of Autumn (立秋 Lìqiū): Complete Cultural Guide

Beginning of Autumn occurs when the sun reaches 135° celestial longitude, typically between August 7-9. At this point, though the summer solstice passed six weeks earlier, thermal lag effect still keeps temperatures elevated—but astronomical energies have already begun reversing. Days begin shortening more noticeably, nights gradually cool, and the sun's position in the sky descends visibly. Traditionally, the Chinese identified three pentads (三候 sānhòu) during Beginning of Autumn: (1) cool winds arrive (涼風至 liáng fēng zhì)—the first refreshing breezes appear; (2) white dew descends (白露降 bái lù jiàng)—morning moisture condenses more clearly; (3) cold cicadas sing (寒蟬鳴 hán chán míng)—cicadas call in a different, more plaintive tone, sensing the seasonal shift. This transition is subtle yet irreversible—even on very hot days after Beginning of Autumn, the quality of heat differs: less penetrating, less persistent. Summer's yang energy (outward dispersion 外散 wàisàn) begins yielding to autumn's yin energy (inward gathering 內收 nèishōu).

The name 'Lìqiū' (立秋) combines 立 (lì, to establish/begin) and 秋 (qiū, autumn). The character '秋' was originally written by combining the signs for 'grain' and 'fire'—referring to the season when mature grain was harvested and field stubble burned. Beginning of Autumn doesn't mean autumnal climate arrives immediately; rather, it marks the official commencement of the energetic transition from summer to autumn. In Chinese philosophy, autumn is the season of harvest (收获 shōuhuò), consolidation (巩固 gǒnggù), and discernment (取舍 qǔshě—deciding what to keep and what to release). If spring is planting and summer is growth, then autumn is harvesting and evaluation. This term reminds: after maximum expansion comes necessary integration. Beginning of Autumn marks the inflection point where outward movement turns inward—preparation for winter's withdrawal. Classic proverb: '立秋之日涼風至' (On the day of Beginning of Autumn, cool winds arrive)—even if imperceptible, change has already begun.

Beginning of Autumn inspires customs focused on strategic preparation and resource restoration. The most famous custom is 'pasting on autumn fat' (貼秋膘 tiē qiū biāo): after a summer of heat that depleted appetite and body weight, tradition prescribes eating nutritious, rich foods—especially braised meats, roasted duck, lamb—to rebuild strength before winter. This custom recognizes: summer depletes; autumn rebuilds. Another traditional practice is 'biting autumn' (咬秋 yǎo qiū): eating watermelon or cucumber on the precise day of Beginning of Autumn to 'bite away' summer's heat and prevent autumn illnesses. In rural regions, families weigh themselves on Beginning of Autumn day and compare with their weight from 'Beginning of Summer'—weight loss signals need for extra nutrition. Beginning of Autumn is also the moment for 'drying autumn harvest' (曬秋 shài qiū): villages display freshly harvested grains, peppers, corn on bamboo mats to sun-dry—a colorful spectacle celebrating abundance. Autumn tree planting also begins. Culturally, Beginning of Autumn reminds: transitions require active preparation, not passivity.

Beginning of Autumn has transformative agricultural importance—harvest of summer grains (early rice, corn) urgently accelerates, while planting of autumn crops (wheat, cold-season vegetables) commences. Proverb: '立秋三天遍地紅' (Three days after Beginning of Autumn, redness everywhere)—referring to ripening sorghum. Another: '立秋十八天，寸草皆結頂' (18 days after Beginning of Autumn, every blade of grass forms a crown)—indicating vegetative growth ends, maturation begins. This period demands perfect timing: delayed harvest risks loss to autumn rains; delayed planting leads to insufficient growth before cold arrives. In nature: cicadas change their singing tone, migratory birds begin journeys southward, leaves of certain trees begin chemical transformations (though color change comes later). Critical observation: winds shift direction—dominant southern winds yield to northern winds. This wind is metaphor: natural energy's direction has changed; the wise adjust accordingly.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beginning of Autumn opens a critical transitional period requiring specific health strategies: From heat-clearing to yin-nourishing and dryness-moistening: Summer emphasized clearing heat and draining dampness; after Beginning of Autumn, focus shifts to nourishing yin fluids and combating dryness. Autumn corresponds to the lungs (lung organ), which are vulnerable to dryness damage. Symptoms include dry cough, dry skin, chapped lips, nasal dryness. Prevention: eat lung-moistening foods—pears, lily bulbs, honey, white wood ear fungus, lotus root, sesame. Avoid excessively spicy, drying foods. 'Autumn freezing' principle (秋凍 qiū dòng—moderate autumn cold exposure): The saying '春捂秋凍' (Cover in spring, freeze in autumn) suggests not wearing too much warm clothing too early in early autumn, allowing the body to gradually adapt to coolness, building resilience for the coming winter. But this must be moderate—vulnerable groups shouldn't be exposed to extreme cold. Emotional health: grief management: TCM associates autumn with the emotion of grief. Falling leaves, shortening days can trigger melancholy. Countermeasures: maintain social connections, engage in meaningful activities, practice gratitude (focus on 'harvest' rather than 'loss'), moderate outdoor exercise. Digestive adjustment: After light summer diet, gradually reintroduce richer foods to 'paste on autumn fat,' but avoid sudden overindulgence to prevent indigestion. Earlier sleep, earlier rising: Following the growth of yin and decline of yang, go to bed slightly earlier than in summer, enjoying the cool morning air.

In contemporary life, Beginning of Autumn offers profound lessons about strategic shift and deliberate consolidation: From expansion mode to consolidation mode: Beginning of Autumn teaches: after maximum expansion (summer's new projects, initiatives, relationships) comes a period of consolidation. Modern application: after rapid growth, shift to consolidation. Assess: which new initiatives should scale? Which should pause? Which should end? Not all seeds yield harvest—wisdom lies in recognizing what merits investment. Strategic pruning: Just as farmers prune to concentrate energy on best fruit, organizations should 'prune'—terminate low-value commitments, freeing resources for high-value activities. Beginning of Autumn is nature's 'review and reset moment.' Preparing for the next cycle: Beginning of Autumn reminds: even in the harvest moment, wisdom lies in preparing for the next cycle. Organizational application: after successful projects, not complacency, but: document lessons learned, rebuild resources (give teams rest), strategically plan for next challenge. Energy from outward to inward: Summer is outward expansion (外散); autumn is inward consolidation (內收). Modern application: from external acquisition (new customers, new markets) to internal optimization (improve processes, deepen existing relationships, consolidate culture). Both are necessary, but timing is critical. Respecting transition periods: Beginning of Autumn teaches transition periods are real, necessary, not 'voids' to rush across. Abruptly switching from summer mode to winter mode causes damage. Allow gradual adjustment. Gratitude and letting go: The 'biting autumn' custom symbolically 'bites away' summer. Modern application: express gratitude for summer (growth period) while consciously releasing, making space for new phase. Team retrospectives celebrate achievements while clearly ending practices that no longer serve.

Beginning of Autumn proverbs encode generations of wisdom about transition timing: '立秋之日涼風至'—reminds that even if subtle, change has irreversibly begun. Modern meaning: notice early signals, don't wait until change is undeniable to react. '一場秋雨一場涼' (Each autumn rain, one degree cooler)—temperatures steadily decline after autumn rains. Meaning: change is gradual, cumulative, not sudden. '立秋三天遍地紅'—sorghum ripens rapidly. Meaning: once conditions align, results manifest quickly. '立秋十日遍地黃'—grain matures in ten days. Meaning: harvest window is brief; timing is critical. '立秋不立秋，六月二十頭'—if Beginning of Autumn falls before lunar sixth month end, cool autumn; if late, heat continues. Meaning: timing determines quality. '早立秋，涼颼颼；晚立秋，熱死牛'—early Beginning of Autumn brings coolness; late Beginning of Autumn prolongs heat. Meaning: starting point affects entire cycle. '立秋有雨樣樣有，立秋無雨收半秋'—Beginning of Autumn rain signals abundance; no rain means reduced harvest. Meaning: initial conditions at transition are critical. These proverbs convey: Beginning of Autumn is an inflection point where strategic adjustment moments are critical; early signals merit attention; time windows for harvest and new planting are fleeting.