For international friends exploring the traditional Chinese calendar, “Cold Dew” (Hanlu) is one of the most “temperature-sensitive” names among all 24 solar terms. It is the seventeenth solar term and the fifth one in autumn, usually arriving between October 8th and 9th in the Gregorian calendar.
If White Dew means “dew appears,” then Cold Dew means “dew turns cold” — the morning dewdrops are no longer merely crystal-clear but carry a bone-chilling coldness, as if nature is using a single drop of dew to remind you: deep autumn has arrived, and winter is not far behind.
What Does “Hanlu” Mean?
“Han” (寒) means “cold,” and “Lu” (露) means “dew.” “Hanlu” means: temperatures are lower than during White Dew, the dew on the ground is colder, and it is about to condense into frost.
The ancient text Yueling Qishier Hou Jijie explains: “In the ninth lunar month, the dew energy turns cold and is about to condense.” This means that around the ninth month of the lunar calendar, the dew in the air has already turned cold, temperatures continue to drop, and frost is imminent.
Cold Dew is an important solar term that reflects changes in temperature. From this point on, temperatures across most of China drop noticeably — northern regions have already entered deep autumn, while southern regions begin to feel the chill as well. There is a folk saying: “After White Dew, don’t bare your body; after Cold Dew, don’t bare your feet.” This means that after White Dew, one should not go shirtless, and after Cold Dew, one should not even leave the feet exposed — it is time to wear socks and thicker shoes to keep warm.
Nature’s Signals: The Three Pentads of Cold Dew
Ancient Chinese divided Cold Dew into three pentads (each lasting five days) to record the subtle changes in nature during deep autumn:
- First Pentad: Wild Geese Arrive as Guests. Wild geese migrate south in large numbers. “Guests” means that the geese fly in from the north, like visitors arriving from afar. Ancient observers noted that while geese began their southward flight during White Dew, by Cold Dew the number of migrating geese reaches its peak. The sky is often filled with flocks of geese flying in “V” or “一” formations, heading toward the warm south.
- Second Pentad: Sparrows Enter the Great Water and Become Clams. Clams become abundant along the seashore. Ancient observers noted that during Cold Dew, large numbers of clams appear on the coast. Since sparrows and other small birds become scarce in the fields at this time, and clam shells bear patterns resembling bird feathers, ancient people formed a romantic notion — believing that sparrows flew into the sea and transformed into clams. This is, of course, a poetic misunderstanding by the ancients, yet it reflects their keen observation of natural changes.
- Third Pentad: Chrysanthemums Bloom Yellow. Chrysanthemums begin to flourish. “Hua” (华) is interchangeable with “flower.” During Cold Dew, chrysanthemums of various colors burst into bloom, with yellow chrysanthemums being the most common. Unafraid of cold and frost, chrysanthemums stand tall and proud in the autumn wind, becoming a symbol of “nobility” and “resilience” in Chinese culture. Tao Yuanming’s famous line, “Picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, I leisurely gaze at the southern mountains,” depicts precisely the scenery of this season.
Climate Characteristics of Cold Dew
Cold Dew is a critical turning point where temperatures drop sharply. By this time, most of China has truly entered deep autumn.
The most striking feature is the sudden temperature drop and the extreme gap between daytime and nighttime temperatures. In northern regions, daytime temperatures may still hover around 15°C, but nighttime temperatures can fall below 5°C, creating a temperature difference of more than 10°C. Although southern regions remain relatively warmer, the chill in mornings and evenings is equally noticeable.
Another important feature is the frequent activity of cold air masses. During Cold Dew, cold air from Siberia begins sweeping southward with increasing frequency, bringing strong winds and sharp temperature drops. There is a folk saying: “Each autumn rain brings another wave of cold” — every time it rains, temperatures drop noticeably by another notch.
In addition, Cold Dew marks a period of significantly reduced rainfall across most of China. Crisp, clear autumn weather becomes the norm — the sky turns deep blue, the air grows dry, and it becomes one of the lowest-humidity periods of the year.
Customs Full of Everyday Warmth
Although Cold Dew is not as grand as Spring Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival, it has given rise to many charming and heartwarming customs:
1. Climbing Heights to Gaze into the Distance
During Cold Dew, the weather is crisp and clear with high skies and pale clouds — the perfect time for climbing heights. In traditional Chinese culture, the Double Ninth Festival (the ninth day of the ninth lunar month) usually falls around Cold Dew, and climbing heights is one of the most important customs of this festival. On this day, people ascend mountains or towers to gaze at the autumn scenery from afar — both to enjoy the beauty and to exercise the body while dispelling autumn melancholy. Wang Wei’s famous verse, “From afar I know my brothers have climbed the heights, wearing dogwood sprigs — one is missing,” depicts precisely this tradition.
2. Admiring Chrysanthemums and Drinking Wine
During Cold Dew, chrysanthemums are in full bloom, making chrysanthemum appreciation one of the most important cultural activities of the season. Ancient people believed that chrysanthemums, unafraid of cold and frost, possess a “proud spirit” and symbolize the character of a noble person. While admiring chrysanthemums, people also drink chrysanthemum wine. Chrysanthemum wine is brewed from chrysanthemums, glutinous rice, and fermentation starter. It is mild in nature and believed to clear the liver, brighten the eyes, and detoxify the body. Ancient people held that drinking chrysanthemum wine during Cold Dew could ward off autumn chill and promote longevity.
3. Eating Flower Cake
During Cold Dew, there is a folk custom of eating “flower cake” (huagao). Flower cake is a type of pastry made from glutinous rice flour, bean flour, and other ingredients, decorated with various nuts and candied fruits to resemble a flower — hence the name. The word “gao” (糕, cake) sounds the same as “gao” (高, high), so eating flower cake symbolizes “rising higher step by step.” Around the Double Ninth Festival, people also insert small flags onto the cake, calling it “Double Ninth Cake” — both to match the occasion and to invoke blessings.
4. Drinking Chrysanthemum Tea
Besides chrysanthemum wine, drinking chrysanthemum tea is also very common during Cold Dew. Chrysanthemum tea is brewed from dried chrysanthemum flowers, with a fragrant and sweet taste. It is believed to clear heat, reduce internal fire, brighten the eyes, and nourish the liver. In the dry deep autumn, a warm cup of chrysanthemum tea not only soothes the throat but also relieves the discomfort caused by autumn dryness.
5. Eating Crabs
Cold Dew is precisely the season when crabs are at their most succulent. There is a folk saying: “In the ninth month, eat round-bellied crabs; in the tenth month, eat pointed-bellied crabs” — meaning that in the ninth lunar month, one should eat female crabs (with round abdomens), and in the tenth month, male crabs (with pointed abdomens). At this time, crab meat is tender and fresh, and roe is rich and full — a delicacy on the autumn dining table. Ancient people believed that crabs are cold in nature, so they should be eaten with ginger-vinegar sauce to balance their cooling effect.
Conclusion
Cold Dew is like a cooling letter that autumn writes to the earth. In the most direct way, it tells Chinese people: the dew has turned cold, the weather has truly chilled, and deep autumn has arrived.
Next time you step outside during this season and feel that sharp chill in the air, watch flocks of wild geese soaring southward across the sky, or slowly sip a warm cup of chrysanthemum tea, take a moment to appreciate this ancient Chinese wisdom — nature never hides the truth. With a single cold drop of dew, it reveals the turning of the seasons.
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