霜降是二十四节气的第十八个节气，也是秋季最后一个节气，这意味着寒冷的冬天日渐临近。今年的霜降始于10月23日。

霜降是每年秋后农业收获的一大节气。江苏南部有“霜降到，无老少”的说法，意即此时田里的庄稼不论成熟与否，一齐都可收割了。

古人为了顺应秋天的严峻肃杀，常在这个月操练战阵，进行围猎。自从汉代以来就在季秋之月讲习武事，操演比试射技，以进行赏罚，已沿袭成为惯例。

霜叶红于二月花。霜降过后，枫树、黄栌树灯树木在秋霜的抚慰下开始漫山遍野地变成红黄色，如火似锦，非常壮观。

霜降时节正是菊花盛开之际，古人尝尝举行菊花会，以表达对菊花的喜爱和崇敬。在霜降前采集百盆名品菊花，搭配好酒好菜，按长幼秩序鞠躬作揖拜菊花神，然后喝酒赏菊，赋诗泼墨。

民间有“补冬不如补霜降”的说法，认为秋补比冬补更重要。霜降时节，天气越发寒冷，多处有饮用羊肉汤的习俗。

霜降时节正是柿子成熟之时，在我国很多地方都有霜降时节吃柿子的习俗。此时天气转寒，人们认为吃柿子不仅可以防寒保暖，而且还能补筋骨。

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.（书法+中英文  ASP公司 程成）