The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Frost's Descent, (Chinese: 霜降), the 18th solar term of the year, begins this year on Oct 23 and ends on Nov 7.
中國傳統的農曆把一年分為24個節氣。霜降（中文：霜降）是今年第18個節氣，從今年10月23日開始，到11月7日結束。
秋時將盡，寒冬欲來
Literally, it refers to the time when frost starts to descend across China, or 「the dews were congealed into frost」 due to the coldness, as recorded in ancient Chinese books.
字面上來說，霜降指的是中國開始下霜的日子，據古籍記載，「氣肅而凝，露結為霜矣」即天氣逐漸變冷，露水凝結成霜。
Frost's Descent is the last solar term of autumn, during which time the weather becomes much colder than before and frost begins to appear. This phase is in the dominancy (優勢) of Earth, and in traditional medicine, the food should be simple and less fat, but people had better pay more attention to caring about the stomach. Chestnut (慄子) is good for stomach, kidney (腎) and spleen, so it is the ideal seasonal food in winter. Additionally the vegetables like spinach (菠菜) and Chinese watermelon covered by frost is also quite delicious. The grape in winter is very sweet as well. All of them are all the good selections for eating.
霜降是秋季的最後一個節氣。 這個節令的到來意味著天氣變冷，出現霜凍。這一階段正處於地球的霸主地位，在傳統醫學中，食物應簡單、脂肪少，但人們最好多注意養胃。板慄有益胃、益腎、健脾，是冬季理想的時令食品。此外，菠菜、西瓜等蔬菜也很好吃。冬天的葡萄也很甜。所有這些都是很好的選擇。
觀賞楓葉
Autumn might be the most colorful season in China with the leaves turning from golden yellow to red. Activities like hiking become popular as people take in the bright red leaves.
秋葉由黃轉紅，秋天可能是中國最多姿多彩的季節了。在一片明亮的紅葉中，徒步旅行這樣的活動越來越受人們歡迎。
Reveling in the view is an old tradition starting in ancient times. Du Mu, a well-known poet from the Tang Dynasty (618-904) depicted the mountainous scenery in a poem: 「I stopped the coach as charmed by the maple woods; Frosted autumn leaves outshine February flowers in redness.」
賞紅葉是一個始於古代的傳統，唐朝詩人杜牧(618-904)在一首詩中描繪了山中秋景：「停車坐愛楓林晚，霜葉紅於二月花。」
滋補正當時
It is said that Shuangjiang is the best time to adjust to a nourishing life, which reflects the belief that this is an important time to focus on health. 「Keeping warm」 becomes a top priority.
據說霜降是進補的時機，這反映了人們認為此時是關注健康的重要時機。「保暖」成為頭等大事。
Persimmon is the favored fruit in many areas. The Chinese believe that permissions could not only keep off the coldness, but also strengthen the muscles and bones.
柿子是許多地區歡迎的水果。中國人認為，柿子不僅能驅寒，還能補筋骨。 Other suggested fruits include apples, pears and bananas. Besides, honey, jelly fungus, chestnuts and sesames are believed to help supplement the necessary nutrition for the human body. On the protein side, chicken or mutton soup is believed to be good for the spleen and advised for the diet.
還建議食用蘋果、雪梨和香蕉等水果。此外，蜂蜜、木耳、慄子、芝麻等食物都被認為能夠提供人體所需的營養素。蛋白質攝入方面，建議食用對脾臟有益的雞肉和羊湯。
Eating persimmons吃柿子
Eating persimmons during Frost's Descent can help people resist the cold and protect their bones. In the countryside, people believe that their lips will crack if they don't eat persimmons during this period.
在霜降時節吃柿子可以幫助人們抵禦寒冷，保護骨骼。在農村，人們認為如果在這段時間不吃柿子，嘴唇會裂開。
Eating apples吃蘋果
The apple is one kind of recommended fruit during Frost's Descent. There are many sayings about apples' benefits in China, such as "Eat an apple after meals, even old men can be as strong as young men," or as the Western proverb goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples can moisten the lungs, quench one’s thirst and help one's digestion.
蘋果是霜降期間備受推薦的一種水果。在中國有很多關於蘋果好處的諺語，比如「飯後一蘋果，老人如小夥」，或者如西方諺語所說，「一日一蘋果，醫生遠離我」。蘋果能潤肺、解渴、助消化。
Eating pears吃梨
The pear is another recommended fruit during Frost's Descent, which can promote the secretion of body liquids, clear away heat and reduce sputum.
梨是霜降期間的另一種推薦食用的水果，它能促進體液的分泌，清熱化痰。 Eating duck吃鴨子
It's a custom to eat duck on the first day of Frost's Descent in south Fujian province and Taiwan. There is a saying in Fujian which goes, "Even nourishing all year is not as good as nourishing the human body on the first day of Frost's Descent." Eating duck is a way for people there to gain weight.
在福建南部和臺灣，有在霜降的第一天吃鴨子的習俗。福建有句諺語說:「一年補透透，不如補霜降。」吃鴨子是那裡的人們貼秋膘的一種方式。 Eating chestnuts吃慄子
Eating chestnuts during Frost's Descent is beneficial for one's health. Chestnuts have a warm nature and sweet flavor, and are good for nourishing the spleen and stomach, invigorating the circulation of blood, relieving coughs and reducing sputum.
霜降期間吃慄子對健康有益。板慄性質溫和，味甜，益脾胃，活血，止咳化痰。
霜降詩歌英譯
1、《楓橋夜泊》 唐 張繼
月落烏啼霜滿天， 江楓漁火對愁眠。
姑蘇城外寒山寺， 夜半鐘聲到客船。
許淵衝譯1（1988年）
Mooring at Night by Maple Bridge
The moon goes down, crows cry under the frosty sky;
Dimly-lit fishing boats』 neath maples sadly lie.
Beyond the Gusu walls the Temple of Cold Hill;
Rings bells which reach my boat, breaking the midnight still.
許淵衝譯2（1995年）
Mooring by Maple Bridge at Night
At moonset cry the crows, streaking the frosty sky;
Dimly-lit fishing boats』 neath maples sadly lie.
Beyond the city walls, from Temple of Cold Hill;
Bells break the ship-borne roamer’s dream and midnight still.
趙彥春譯
Mooring at Night by Maple Bridge
By ZHANG Ji Tr. ZHAO Yanchun
The moon setting, crows cawing, frosty skies,
The dam maples, fishing lamp, his sad eyes.
A toll from Cold Hill Fane outside Soochow
Strikes my boat at night to stir my sorrow.
黃宏發譯
Moored for the Night by the Maple Bridge
譯者：黃宏發 （譯於2008年6月）
The moon is down, ravens caw, a frostiness fills the sky;
By the riverside maples and fishing lights, sad, insomnious I lie.
Beyond the walls of Gusu City, where Hanshan Temple stands,
Bong goes the bell at midnight to touch the boat of the passerby.
李欣譯
Night Mooring At Maple Bridge
The moon had sunk when crows were crying amidst frosty sky, Riverside maple and fisherman’s lamp faced my uneasy sleep,
There was the Hanshan Temple located at suburban Gusu City， Midnight tolling of bell was heard on the passenger 『s boat.
王守義與約翰合譯本
Anchored At Night Near Maple Bridge
The old moon is going down
And the crows make a ruckus
The world is covered with frost
There are maples on the riverbank
And the lights of fishing boats
Drift with the current
I fall into a sad sleep
The monastary on cold mountain
It is outside the town of gusu
The sound of its bell
Touches the guestboat at midnight.