在国际气象界，二十四节气被誉为“中国的第五大发明”。

9月23日，我们迎来了二十四节气中的第十六个节气，秋季的第四个节气---秋分。“分”即为“平分”，“半”的意思，除了指昼夜平分外，还指将秋季平分。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。秋分来了，意味着一天更比一天凉。

我国古代将秋分分为三候：“一候雷始收声；二候蛰虫培户；三候水始涸”。古人认为雷是因为阳气盛而发声，秋分后阴气开始旺盛，所以不再打雷了。秋分前后，农事活动格外繁忙。棉花吐絮，烟叶也由绿变黄；华北地区开始播种冬麦，长江流域及南部广大地区正忙着晚稻收割；抢晴耕翻土地，准备油菜播种。全国上下，一片繁忙的景象。

秋分之后，阵阵秋风袭来，使气温逐渐下降，寒凉渐重，所以多出现凉燥。要坚持锻炼，增强体质；饮食方面，应多喝水，吃清润，温润的食物，如蜂蜜，梨等，可以起到滋阴润肺、养阴生津的作用。

24 Solar Terms: Autumn Equinox

In the international meteorological community, the 24 solar terms are known as "China's fifth greatest invention".

On September 23, we welcome the 16th solar term and the fourth solar term in autumn, the autumnal equinox. "Fen" means "half", which means to divide the day and night equally, and also to divide the autumn equally. After the autumnal equinox, the direct sunlight position moves southward, the days in the Northern Hemisphere are short and the nights are long, and the temperature difference between day and night increases. The autumnal equinox is coming, which means that it is getting colder every day.

After that day, the location of direct sunlight moves to the south, making days shorter and nights longer in the northern hemisphere. It is on the Autumn Equinox day that the Yin and Yang are in a balance of power. Thus the day and night are of equal length, and so are the cold and hot weather.

It is a good season to enjoy sweet-scented osmanthus full blossom around Autumn Equinox. At this time, it is hot in the day and cool in the night in South China, so people have to wear light clothing when it is hot, and put on more clothes when it is getting cooler.

It is also a good season to enjoy chrysanthemums in full blossom around Autumn Equinox.

Therefore, let us enjoy this beautiful autumn!（书法+中英文 ASP公司 程成）