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The Autumn Equinox, known as Qiufen (秋分), is the 16th of China’s 24 Solar Terms and marks the midpoint of autumn. The word “fen分” means “division,” symbolizing equality and balance — day and night share almost equal lengths. This solar term falls right in the middle of the 90 days of autumn, dividing the season into two halves.
Historically, Qiufen was also the day of the traditional Moon-Worship Festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival we celebrate today actually evolved from this earlier “Moon Festival.” Since the moon was not always full on the exact date of the equinox, the festival was later moved to the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, becoming the Mid-Autumn Festival we know and love.
Climate During Autumn Equinox in China
As Qiufen arrives, temperatures gradually drop, signaling the deepening of autumn. Day and night now last about 12 hours each, bringing perfect balance to the sky. In southern China, rainfall becomes less intense — heavy storms are rare — but rainy days may actually increase, with long stretches of soft drizzle and a higher chance of overnight rain. The air feels cooler, the light turns golden, and the landscape takes on a calm, poetic beauty that has inspired Chinese art and poetry for centuries.
In northern China, Qiufen is the heart of the harvest season. Golden rice fields ripple in the wind, fruits and vegetables fill the markets, and farmers celebrate months of hard work with joy and gratitude. This period is also marked as China’s Farmers’ Harvest Festival, when communities come together to share food, honor the land, and give thanks for a plentiful year — a living reminder that every season’s labor leads to this moment of abundance.
The Three “Hou” of Qiufen (秋分三候)
Traditional Chinese culture divides each solar term into three “hou” (候), or five-day phases, to observe nature’s subtle changes:
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First Hou: Thunder Silences (一候雷始收声) Ancient people believed thunder was born of strong yang energy. After Autumn Equinox, yin阴 energy rises, so thunder disappears. The quiet sky marks the true end of summer heat and the arrival of crisp autumn air.
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Second Hou: Insects Seal Their Burrows (二候蛰虫坯户)As the weather cools, insects retreat underground and seal their holes with fine soil to protect themselves from the coming chill.
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Third Hou: Waters Begin to Dry (三候水始涸)With reduced rainfall and faster evaporation, ponds, wetlands, and even small rivers begin to dry, showing the earth’s transition toward winter.
Customs of the Autumn Equinox (秋分习俗)
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Flying Kites (放风筝):The clear skies of autumn make Qiufen the perfect time for kite flying. Families and children compete to see who can fly their kite the highest, turning fields and parks into lively celebrations.
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Sending Autumn Cows (送秋牛):Some regions have the tradition of sending out “autumn cows” — red or yellow paper prints with all 24 Solar Terms and illustrations of farmers plowing. This was both a calendar and a blessing for a good harvest.
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Egg Balancing (竖蛋):A playful custom that has endured through centuries: people try to balance eggs on end during the equinox, a symbol of harmony and good fortune.
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Moon Worship (祭秋月):Since Qiufen was originally the Moon-Worship Festival, some places still carry out small rituals to honor the moon, preserving a link between this solar term and the later Mid-Autumn Festival.
Seasonal Foods of Qiufen (秋分饮食)
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Eating Qiu Cai (秋菜):Qiufen is the perfect time to enjoy Qiu Cai, a seasonal wild green also known as amaranth. Families pick the tender leaves, then simmer them with fresh fish slices to make “Autumn Soup.” This light, nourishing dish is believed to cleanse the body, protect the liver, and keep the whole family healthy through the cool months.
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Sharing Rice Balls (吃汤圆):Another beloved Qiufen tradition is eating glutinous rice balls (汤圆). Along with placing unfilled rice balls outdoors — a custom called “sticky rice balls for birds” to protect the crops — families also eat warm, sweet rice balls together at home. These chewy treats symbolize unity and harmony, making them a perfect food for a season centered on balance.
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Steamed Hairy Crabs (清蒸大闸蟹):As the saying goes, “When autumn winds rise, crabs grow plump.” Qiufen marks the start of hairy crab season, when crabs are at their richest with golden roe and creamy tomalley. The best way to enjoy them is simply steamed, served with ginger vinegar to balance the cool nature of crab meat. It’s a seasonal delicacy that perfectly captures the flavor of autumn.
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Osmanthus Lotus Root with Sticky Rice (桂花糯米藕):Qiufen is also the season when fragrant osmanthus blossoms fill the air, making it the ideal time for osmanthus-infused desserts. One favorite is Osmanthus Sticky Rice Lotus Root — lotus roots stuffed with glutinous rice, steamed until tender, sliced into rounds, and drizzled with osmanthus syrup. The result is a soft, sweet, floral treat that celebrates the arrival of autumn and the abundance of the harvest.
Bringing Autumn Elegance to Your Home
As Autumn Equinox marks the balance of day and night, it reminds us to find balance in our own lives too — slowing down, cherishing the harvest season, and savoring the small moments at home. The golden light of autumn, the cooler air, and the sense of abundance all make this the perfect season to refresh your space and create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
At Sinocultural, we take inspiration from this seasonal transition. Our Chinoiserie-inspired home décor and bone china dinnerware bring the poetry of Cantonese bird-and-flower embroidery to your table. Simple changes — like adding a patterned table runner, a set of chinoiserie luxury table mats, or our Cantonese Embroidery flower&birds bone china dinnerware — can instantly transform your dining space into a warm autumn retreat, perfect for sharing meals and memories with loved ones.
Let the spirit of Autumn Equinox guide your seasonal refresh — create a warm, balanced space where every meal feels like a celebration of harvest and harmony.
