Bailu (White Dew) 白露

Bai-lu (Globe Language) (noun) 白露 (Chinese): White Dew, literally in Chinese “bai” 白 = white, “lu” 露 = dew.

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Bai-lu is the 15th solar term of 24 solar terms on traditional East Asian calendars.  Bai-lu begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 165° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 180°. Bai-lu often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 165°. In the Gregorian calendar, Bai-lu usually begins around September 7 and ends around September 23. Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon festival) is celebrated around Bai-lu.

In ancient China, Bai-lu was divided into three periods of 15 days: “In the first period 鸿雁来, the migrating geese start to fly south to avoid the cold; In the second five days 玄鸟归, mystery swallows return; during the third period 群鸟养羞, all birds begin to store their dried fruits and grain foods for the winter.

Bai-lu can be seen as a symbol of the beginning of the cold weather. The grasses and plants are covered with white dew in Bai-lu because of the cold climate at night and dawn. There is a Chinese proverb: “Your body shouldn’t be exposed too much after bai-lu”. This proverb reminds everyone to wear more clothes after Bai-lu. It is easy to get cold and to induce old diseases. People who are weak, have stomach problems or chronic lung diseases, need to keep warm in the morning and evening.

 

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