秋分，是二十四节气之第十六个节气，秋季第四个节气。斗指酉;太阳达黄经180°;于每年的公历9月22-24日交节。秋分这天太阳几乎直射地球赤道，全球各地昼夜等长。秋分之后，北半球各地昼渐短夜渐长，南半球各地昼渐长夜渐短。我国古籍《春秋繁露·阴阳出入上下篇》中说：“秋分者，阴阳相半也，故昼夜均而寒暑平。”除了指昼夜平分外，还有一层意思是平分了秋季。秋分日后，太阳光直射位置南移，北半球昼短夜长，昼夜温差加大，气温逐日下降。
Autumn Equinox is the 16th solar term of the year, and the fourth one in autumn. It corresponds to the 180° ecliptic longitude of the sun and occurs annually between September 22nd and 24th on the Gregorian calendar. On this day, the sun is nearly directly over the Earth's equator, resulting in equal day and night lengths worldwide. Following the Autumn Equinox, daylight gradually shortens and nights lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere, while in the Southern Hemisphere, daylight increases, and nights become shorter. According to the ancient Chinese texts Chunqiu Fanlu, the Ebb and Flow of Yin and Yang, Autumn Equinox represents the equilibrium of yin and yang, hence the equal length of day and night and moderate temperatures. In addition to signifying the equal division of day and night, it also marks the beginning of the autumn season. After the Autumn Equinox, the sun's direct position shifts southward, leading to shorter days and longer nights in the Northern Hemisphere, increased temperature differences between day and night, and a gradual decrease in temperatures.
秋分曾是传统的祭月节，中秋节由秋夕祭月演变而来 。2018年6月21日，国务院关于同意设立中国农民丰收节的批复发布，同意自2018年起，将每年秋分设立为中国农民丰收节。
Autumn Equinox used to be the traditional Moon Festival, which evolved into the modern Mid-Autumn Festival. On June 21, 2018, the State Council of China approved the establishment of the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival and designated the Autumn Equinox as the date for this festival, starting from 2018.
Weather in Autumn Equinox
按气候学上的标准，“秋分”时节，我国长江流域及其以北的广大地区，日平均气温都降到了22℃以下，为物候上的秋天了。此时，来自北方的冷空气团，已经具有一定的势力。全国绝大部分地区雨季已经结束，凉风习习、碧空万里、风和日丽、秋高气爽、丹桂飘香、蟹肥菊黄等词语，都是对此时景象的描述。
According to climatology standards, during Autumn Equinox, a vast area of China, including the Yangtze River Basin and regions to the north, experiences daily average temperatures dropping to 22°C or below, marking the arrival of autumn in terms of phenology. By this time, cold air masses from the north have gained some strength. In most parts of the country, the rainy season has already ended, and the weather is characterized by cool breezes, clear skies, sunny days, pleasant temperatures, and the fragrance of osmanthus flowers, plump crabs, and golden chrysanthemums. These words describe the scene during this period.
秋分节气，也是农业生产上重要的节气，秋分后太阳直射的位置移至南半球，北半球得到的太阳辐射越来越少，而地面散失的热量却较多，气温降低的速度明显加快。农谚说：“一场秋雨一场寒”，“白露秋分夜，一夜冷一夜”。“八月雁门开，雁儿脚下带霜来”，东北地区降温早的年分，秋分见霜已不足为奇。
The Autumn Equinox is also an important solar term for agricultural production. After the Autumn Equinox, the direct sunlight shifts to the Southern Hemisphere, resulting in reduced solar radiation in the Northern Hemisphere. At the same time, the Earth's surface loses heat more rapidly, leading to a noticeable acceleration in the decrease of temperatures. There are agricultural sayings such as Autumn rain brings the cold and Nights get colder and colder after the White Dew and Autumn Equinox. In years with early cooling in the northeastern region, it's not unusual to see frost around the time of the Autumn Equinox.
古有“春祭日，秋祭月”之说。据考证，最初“祭月节”是定在“秋分”这一天，不过由于这一天在农历八月里的日子每年不同，不一定都有圆月。而祭月无月则是大煞风景的。所以，后来就将“祭月节”由“秋分”调至中秋。
In ancient times, there was a saying, Sun worship in Spring, moon worship in Autumn. It is believed that the traditional Moon Festival was set on the day of the Autumn Equinox. However, it doesn't always coincide with a full moon because this day falls on different dates in the lunar calendar's eighth month each year. Celebrating the Moon without the presence of a full moon was considered less auspicious. Therefore, it was later moved from the Autumn Equinox to the Mid-Autumn Festival for a more reliable full moon observation.
竖蛋 Egg-standing
在每年的秋分那一天，世界各地都会有数以千万计的人在做“竖蛋”试验。这一被称之为“中国习俗”的玩艺儿，何以成为“世界游戏”，目前尚难考证。不过其玩法确简单易行且富有趣味：选择一个光滑匀称、刚生下四五天的新鲜鸡蛋，轻手轻脚地在桌子上把它竖起来。虽然失败者颇多，但成功者也不少。秋分成了竖蛋游戏的最佳时光，故有“秋分到，蛋儿俏”的说法。竖立起来的蛋儿好不风光。
On the day of the Autumn Equinox each year, millions of people around the world engage in the tradition of standing eggs on their ends. How this Chinese custom has become a world game is still a mystery. The game is simple yet entertaining: select a newborn egg that is about four to five days old, then carefully stand it on its end on a table. Only very few can succeed. Autumn Equinox is considered the best time for the egg-standing game, hence the saying, Autumn Equinox arrives, egg rises. An egg standing on its end is indeed a sight to behold.
吃秋菜 Eating wild herbs
在岭南地区一些农村还有“秋分吃秋菜”的习俗。“秋菜”是一种野苋菜，逢秋分那天，全村人都去采摘秋菜。采回的秋菜一般家里与鱼片“滚汤”，名曰“秋汤”。有顺口溜道：“秋汤灌脏，洗涤肝肠。阖家老少，平安健康。”
In some rural areas of southern China, there is a custom of eating wild herbs on Autumn Equinox. The most popular option was Chinese spinach. On the day of the Autumn Equinox, the entire village goes out to pick these wild herbs. The harvest is typically cooked into a soup with fish slices, known as the Autumn Soup. There's a rhyme that goes: Autumn broth, cleanse liver and bowels, restore. Families in wealth and health, they'll endure.
拜神 Deity worship
拜神是指到庙、道观或其他宗教场所对神或者其他对象进行的一种祭祀或者表达自己诚意和膜拜的行为或礼节。
At this time of the year, people will go to Buddhist or Daoist temples, and other religious places to pay respects and reverence to gods to express one's sincerity and devotion.
秋分前后的民俗节日有二月十五日开漳圣王诞辰：开漳圣王又称陈圣王，为唐代武进士陈元光，对漳洲有功，死后成为漳洲守护神。二月十九日观世音菩萨诞辰，每逢诞辰，信徒多茹素齐，前往各观音寺庙祭拜。二月二十五日三山国王祭日：三山国王是指广东省潮州府揭阳县的独山、明山、巾山三座山的山神，早年由潮州客家移民秋为守护神，因此信徒以客籍人士为主。
There are several folk festivals that fall around Autumn Equinox. One of them is the Birth of the Saint of Kaizhang. The Saint of Kaizhang, also known as Saint Chen was a soldier who lived during the Tang Dynasty and made significant contributions to Zhangzhou. After his death, he became the guardian deity of Zhangzhou. On February 15th of the lunar calendar, people visit various temples to pay their respects and offer prayers. The day to honor the Lord of Three Mountains is February 25th. The Lord of Three Mountains is the god of Dushan, Mingshan, and Jinshan in Jieyang County, Chaozhou Prefecture, Guangdong Province. He is the god of Hakka immigrants who settled in the area, therefore, the majority of believers are of Hakka descent.
秋分随之即到，其时便出现挨家送秋牛图的。其图是把二开红纸或黄纸印上全年农历节气，还要印上农夫耕田图样，名曰秋牛图。送图者都是些民间善言唱者，主要说些秋耕和吉祥不违农时的话，每到一家更是即景生情，见啥说啥，说得主人乐而给钱为止。言词虽随口而出，却句句有韵动听。俗称说秋，说秋人便叫秋官。
As the Autumn Equinox approaches, people go door-to-door to offer the Autumn Oxen prints. These prints are made by stamping red or yellow paper with the lunar calendar's agricultural solar terms and an image of a farmer plowing the field, known as Autumn Oxen Prints. Those who offer these prints are typically folk artists skilled in eloquent speech and often focus on topics related to autumn farming and auspiciousness in accordance with the farming season. They engage in spontaneous, entertaining conversations with homeowners and continue until the homeowner is pleased and gives a gift. Although their words are improvised, each phrase is rhythmic and melodious. These artists are colloquially known as Autumn Whispers.
Poems about Autumn Equinox
《晚晴》
（唐）杜甫
返照斜初彻，浮云薄未归。
江虹明远饮，峡雨落馀飞。
凫雁终高去，熊罴觉自肥。
秋分客尚在，竹露夕微微。
In a Serene Evening
Du Fu（Tang Dynasty）
The waning sun's last glow,
askance it gently spills,
Thin clouds still hesitant,
on their homeward trails.
Rainbows grace the river,
in the distance, they sip the sky,
In the gorge, rain lingers,
as it gracefully bids goodbye.
Wild ducks ascend above,
soaring to greater heights,
The bears grow plump and content,
with autumn's sweet delights.
Amidst the Autumn Equinox,
guests still linger here,
Bamboo leaves glisten with dew,
as evening draws near.
《夜喜贺兰三见访》
（唐）贾岛
漏钟仍夜浅，时节欲秋分。
泉聒栖松鹤，风除翳月云。
踏苔行引兴，枕石卧论文。
即此寻常静，来多只是君。
In the Night's Delight: A Surprising Visit
Jia Dao（Tang Dynasty）
The night deepens,
the time is near the Equinox's tune,
In the shallow night,
the clock's whispering croon.
The spring gurgles,
cranes find their rest 'midst the pines,
The wind sweeps away the veils
from the moon's soft shines.
Stepping on moss,
my spirits start to climb,
Resting on rocks,
I contemplate words that rhyme.
In this tranquil realm,
far from the world's loud hum,
It's not by chance you come;
you are the only one.
《中秋对月》
（唐）李频
秋分一夜停，阴魄最晶荧。
好是生沧海，徐看历杳冥。
层空疑洗色，万怪想潜形。
他夕无相类，晨鸡不可听。
The Moon
Li Pin（Tang Dynasty）
On this Autumn Equinox night,
all comes to a pause,
The moon's shadow shines bright,
like a crystal glass.
Born from the boundless sea,
it slowly traverses space,
Its shifting shades enchant,
in the night's mystic grace.
Layers of emptiness,
washing colors anew,
Countless wonders arise,
as if in disguise they grew.
Unlike any other eve,
its uniqueness is clear,
The morning rooster's call,
is a sound one cannot hear.
《咏廿四气诗秋分八月中》
（唐）元稹
琴弹南吕调，风色已高清。
云散飘飖影，雷收振怒声。
乾坤能静肃，寒暑喜均平。
In Praise of Autumn Equinox
Yuan Zhen（Tang Dynasty）
Strings play the echoing tune,
the wind's hues so bright,
Clouds scatter and drift,
shadows dancing in the light.
Thunder's anger subsides,
its roars begin to fade,
The heavens and earth grow calm,
in balance, they're arrayed.
Cold and heat find harmony,
in this tranquil state.
图片来源于网络
翻译 / 王影
