Autumn Equinox is the 16th solar term of the Twenty‑Four Solar Terms and the fourth solar term of autumn. The character “fen” means “to divide equally”. It marks not only equal lengths of day and night, but also the midpoint of autumn. From this point onward, the temperature gap between day and night widens, temperatures drop day by day, and coolness grows stronger. The sky is high with pale clouds; dews turn chilly while breezes stay fresh; osmanthus blooms send forth sweet fragrance, painting a lovely and pleasant scene.

As the Autumn Equinox arrives, each branch jointly hosts an event for this solar term, introducing its climatic traits, traditional customs and wellness tips to all family members.

In ancient China, Autumn Equinox was split into three pentads: “First, thunder fades away; second, hibernating insects seal their burrows; third, waters begin to recede.” After Autumn Equinox, thunder will no longer rumble. Creatures ready for hibernation hide in caves and block the entrances with fine soil to keep cold out. The volume of water in lakes and rivers falls, leaving some marshes and puddles to dry up.

Among the Hakka communities in Lingnan, there is a custom of gathering autumn vegetables. This vegetable is a type of wild amaranth. On the day of Autumn Equinox, villagers go out to pick it and cook autumn vegetable soup. Around the world, many people take part in the egg‑standing challenge: select a smooth, well‑shaped fresh egg and carefully balance it upright on a flat surface. Autumn Equinox is the perfect time for this game, hence the saying: “When Equinox comes, eggs stand nice.”

With mild weather and gradually falling temperatures, autumn is ideal for wellness and exercise. It is advisable to drink plenty of water and eat nourishing foods such as sesame, walnuts, glutinous rice, honey, dairy products and pears. They nourish the lungs, replenish yin and promote fluid production. Moderate outdoor activities also help build physical strength and immunity.

Autumn Equinox carries an interesting feature: on this day, an object’s height equals the length of its shadow. Family members then set out to measure their own height and gained knowledge through this fun activity.

Autumn Equinox is also a wonderful season for kite flying. Family members prepared materials in advance and worked in pairs: one cut and pasted while the other painted. Joy filled the air. Soon, vivid, brightly coloured kites were finished.

At weekends, take children outdoors to fly kites, so they may experience the unique delights of autumn and savour its gentle beauty.

Autumn Equinox marks the halfway point of autumn. May you gather warmth this autumn, wear bright smiles, dwell in gentle comforts, and walk steadily in good health!