Frost's Descent is the 18th solar term in the 24 solar terms, usually occurring on October 23 or 24 each year.
霜降是二十四节气中的第十八个节气，一般在每年的10月23日或24日。
Frost's Descent is the last solar term of autumn.
霜降是秋季的最后一个节气。
During this time, temperatures drop sharply, and the temperature difference between day and night becomes significant, with the minimum temperature in some northern regions falling below 0°C.
此时气温骤降，昼夜温差明显加大，北方部分地区的最低温度可降至0℃以下。
Frost often quietly arrives on clear, windless nights with suitable humidity, covering the earth with a layer of white veil.
霜花常在晴朗无风、湿度适宜的夜晚悄然降临，给大地披上一层白色薄纱。
Plants also undergo significant changes, with growth slowing or stopping, leaves changing color and falling, and frost-sensitive plants potentially dying.
植物生长减缓或停止，树叶大量变色并飘落，不耐寒的植物可能冻死。
Perennial herbaceous plants wilt above ground while their underground parts enter dormancy, waiting to sprout again in spring.
多年生草本植物地上部分枯萎，地下部分则进入休眠状态，等待来年春天再次萌发。
Animals also sense the climate changes; migratory birds begin flying south to find warmer wintering grounds.
动物们同样感知到了气候的变化，候鸟开始南飞寻找温暖的越冬之地。
Small animals like squirrels busily gather and store food in preparation for the coming cold winter.
像松鼠等小动物则忙碌地收集和储存食物，为即将到来的寒冬做准备。
Frost's Descent marks the end of autumn and the approach of winter.
霜降标志着秋天的结束和冬天的临近。
Legend has it that Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was very poor as a child and often went hungry, having to beg for food.
传说明朝的开国皇帝朱元璋小时候家中十分贫穷，经常吃不饱饭，只好四处讨饭。
One year during Frost's Descent, after not eating for two days, Zhu was so hungry that he stumbled into a small village.
一年霜降，已经两天没饭吃的朱元璋饿得两眼发黑，他跌跌撞撞走到一个小村庄。
He found a persimmon tree growing among some broken tiles, laden with bright red persimmons.
他发现村边的一处烂瓦堆里长着一棵柿子树，上面结满了红彤彤的柿子。
Seeing this, Zhu was ecstatic and used all his strength to climb the tree and feast on the persimmons, saving himself from death.
朱元璋一见，兴奋极了，使出浑身力气爬到树上，吃了一顿柿子大餐，这才得以从阎王爷那里捡回了一条小命。
Later, when Zhu became emperor, he passed by the same village again during Frost's Descent and saw the same persimmon tree still bearing fruit.
后来，朱元璋当了皇帝，有一年霜降节领兵再次路过那个小村庄，发现那棵柿子树还在，上面依然挂满了红彤彤的柿子。
Reflecting on this, Zhu realized that this tree had saved his life.
面对此情此景，朱元璋思绪万千，正是这棵柿子树当年救了自己。
He looked up at the ordinary persimmon tree, slowly took off his red battle robe, and draped it over the tree, declaring it "Marquis of Frost."
他仰望着这棵平平常常的柿子树，缓缓脱下自己的红色战袍，郑重其事地把战袍披在柿子树上，并封它为“凌霜侯”。
This story became popular among the people and gradually formed the custom of eating persimmons during Frost's Descent.
这个故事在民间流传开来后，逐渐形成了霜降吃柿子的习俗。
During Frost's Descent, chrysanthemums bloom beautifully, and there is an ancient saying, "Frost brings out blooming chrysanthemums."
霜降时节正值菊花盛开，古有“霜打菊花开”之说，因此赏菊也成为了霜降这一节令的雅事。
Chrysanthemums were regarded by ancient people as "the grass of the season," symbolizing longevity and vitality.
菊被古人视为“候时之草”，被认为是“延寿客”、不老草，是生命力的象征。
In many parts of China, chrysanthemum fairs are held during this time, where people admire chrysanthemums and drink wine in appreciation.
我国很多地方会在此时举行菊花会，赏菊饮酒，以示对菊花的喜爱和崇敬。
At Frost's Descent, persimmons are fully ripe, thin-skinned, delicious, and highly nutritious.
霜降时节，柿子完全成熟，皮薄味美，营养价值高。
In some regions, people believe that eating persimmons can ward off the cold, nourish the body, and symbolize good fortune with the phrase "good persimmons become frost."
在我国一些地区，人们认为吃柿子可以御寒保暖，补筋骨，还有“好柿成霜”的美好寓意。
The weather during Frost's Descent becomes cooler, making it a good time for climbing and enjoying the view.
霜降时节，天气渐寒，秋高气爽，是登高远眺的好时节。
The air in the mountains is fresh, with less dust and pollution, and the leaves of maple and other trees begin to change color, making it ideal for sightseeing.
此时山林间空气新鲜，大气中的浮尘和污染物较少，枫树、黄栌树等树木也开始变色，十分适宜登高赏景。
Climbing also symbolizes driving away evil and inviting blessings.
登高也有驱邪避灾、祈福迎祥的寓意。
As the weather gets colder, the body requires more energy to resist the cold, and there is a saying, "It's better to nourish in Frost's Descent than in winter."
霜降时节，天气渐寒，人体需要更多的热量来抵御寒冷，民间有“补冬不如补霜降”的说法。
People consume nourishing foods like beef, lamb, and duck during this time.
人们会进食一些滋补食品，如牛肉、羊肉、鸭子等。
People in the north prefer beef and mutton, while those in the south, especially in Fujian, like to eat duck for nourishment.
北方人爱吃牛羊肉；南方人，尤其是闽南一带，则喜欢吃鸭子进补。
In places like Beijing and Zigong, there is also a custom of eating "Frost-baited rabbit."
北京、自贡等地还有吃“迎霜兔”的习俗。
In the Gao Ming area of Guangdong, there is a custom of "sending off the yam spirit" before Frost's Descent.
在广东高明地区，霜降前有“送芋鬼”的习俗。
People build a tower from tiles and place dry firewood inside; the fire should burn as brightly as possible until the tiles turn red.
人们会用瓦片堆砌成河内塔，在塔里面放入干柴点燃，火烧得越旺越好，直到瓦片烧红。
Then they topple the tower and use the hot tiles to cook yams, a process known locally as "making yam pot."
再将河内塔推倒，用烧红的瓦片热垠芋头，这在当地称为“打芋煲”。
Finally, they throw the tiles outside the village to ward off misfortune and welcome good fortune.
最后把瓦片丢到村外，以这种方式辟凶迎祥。
In Shandong and Shanxi, there is a custom of harvesting radishes during Frost's Descent.
在山东、山西一带，有霜降时节拔萝卜的习俗。
Because the temperature difference between day and night becomes greater after Frost's Descent, if mature radishes are not harvested promptly, they may become frostbitten, affecting their quality and yield.
因为霜降后昼夜间温差更大了，成熟后露地萝卜如果不及时抢收，就会出现冻皮的状况，影响萝卜的品质和收成。
