霜降是二十四節氣的第十八個節氣，也是秋季最后一個節氣，這意味著寒冷的冬天日漸臨近。今年的霜降始于10月23日。

霜降是每年秋后農業收獲的一大節氣。江蘇南部有“霜降到，無老少”的說法，意即此時田里的莊稼不論成熟與否，一齊都可收割了。

古人為了順應秋天的嚴峻肅殺，常在這個月操練戰陣，進行圍獵。自從漢代以來就在季秋之月講習武事，操演比試射技，以進行賞罰，已沿襲成為慣例。

霜葉紅于二月花。霜降過后，楓樹、黃櫨樹燈樹木在秋霜的撫慰下開始漫山遍野地變成紅黃色，如火似錦，非常壯觀。

霜降時節正是菊花盛開之際，古人嘗嘗舉行菊花會，以表達對菊花的喜愛和崇敬。在霜降前采集百盆名品菊花，搭配好酒好菜，按長幼秩序鞠躬作揖拜菊花神，然后喝酒賞菊，賦詩潑墨。

民間有“補冬不如補霜降”的說法，認為秋補比冬補更重要。霜降時節，天氣越發寒冷，多處有飲用羊肉湯的習俗。

霜降時節正是柿子成熟之時，在我國很多地方都有霜降時節吃柿子的習俗。此時天氣轉寒，人們認為吃柿子不僅可以防寒保暖，而且還能補筋骨。

Frost’s Descent

The arrival of frost’s descent signals a time for agricultural harvest. In southern Jiangsu province, and old saying has been calling for harvest of all crops upon frost’s descent, whether or not they are ripe.

People in ancient China regarded frost’s descent a suitable time for military trainings. Archery competitions have been held during frost’s descent throughout China since the Han Dynasty (206 BC – AD 220)

A saying in China goes: “Frost-bitten leaves are more crimson than blooms in spring.” Leaves of maples and smoke trees begin to darken after frost’s descent, offering magnificent views on mountains.

A folk saying goes:” it is better to nourish the body during frost’s descent than in winter.” Many places in China have the habit of drinking lamb soup as the weather gets colder.

Eating persimmons during frost’s descent is a folk habit in many parts of China. People believe that eating persimmons can drive away the“ coldness” in the body.（書法+中英文  ASP公司 程成）