As August rolls around each year, there’s a particular day that millions of Chinese people mark on their calendars with anticipation. It’s not a holiday in the Western sense, but it’s a moment that carries deep cultural weight and practical importance. I’m talking about Liqiu (立秋), literally “Standing Autumn” or more commonly translated as the Beginning of Autumn.

This year, Liqiu falls on August 7th. It marks the 13th of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese calendar, a sophisticated system that has guided agriculture, medicine, and daily life for thousands of years. But here’s what makes Liqiu particularly interesting—it’s not just a calendar marker. It’s a transition point that Chinese people have honored through food, ritual, and health practices that are very much alive today.

The Meaning of Beginning of Autumn

To understand Liqiu, you need to grasp how the Chinese solar terms work. Rather than simply dividing the year into 12 calendar months, the ancient Chinese divided the solar year into 24 segments, each named for a natural phenomenon or agricultural event. These solar terms trace their origins back to the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties—making them over 3,000 years old.

Liqiu arrives when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 135 degrees. In practical terms, this usually falls between August 7th and 9th. While the weather where you live might still feel very much like summer, the ancient Chinese recognized subtle shifts in nature that signaled the change of seasons.

The character “立” (li) means “to stand” or “to begin,” and “秋” (qiu) means autumn. So Liqiu literally means “the beginning of autumn.” But here’s the thing—the actual shift to cooler weather often comes weeks after this date, especially in southern China. Liqiu is less about an immediate temperature drop and more about acknowledging the transition point, the moment when the energy of the year begins to shift from the expansive, yang energy of summer toward the contracting, yin energy of autumn.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each season is associated with an organ and an element. Autumn corresponds to the lungs and the large intestine, both part of the Metal element. The lungs are considered the “tender organ”—they’re particularly vulnerable to changes in the environment. This is why autumn in TCM philosophy is a time when people need to pay extra attention to respiratory health and immune function.

The concept of Qi (气), often translated as “life energy” or “vital force,” plays a central role here. According to TCM, the lungs govern Qi and respiration, and they help distribute Qi throughout the body. During the transition from summer to autumn, the body needs time to adjust, and this adjustment period is when many people feel slightly off—more tired, more prone to minor colds, or experiencing dry skin and throats.

Traditional Customs

If you ask Chinese people what they do on Liqiu, the answer will almost always involve food. This is a tradition deeply embedded in the culture—marking the change of seasons through what you eat. And honestly, these food traditions are part of what makes Liqiu so fascinating.

The most famous custom is called “tie qiu biao” (贴秋膘), which literally means “贴” (to paste or stick), “秋” (autumn), and “膘” (fat, specifically the fat on a pig). This translates to something like “gaining autumn fat” or “putting on autumn weight.” The idea is straightforward: during the hot summer months, people’s appetites tend to decrease. The heat makes food less appealing, and many people naturally eat less. So when autumn arrives, it’s time to make up for that lost nutrition and build up some reserves before winter.

In practical terms, this means eating more substantial, hearty foods—particularly meat. In northern China, especially in the northeast, families traditionally prepare elaborate meat dishes on Liqiu. Pork is incredibly popular, and you’ll find everything from simple stir-fries to complex stews featuring pork ribs, belly, and shoulder. The belief is that consuming these rich, protein-rich foods helps restore the body’s strength and prepares it for the colder months ahead.

Another interesting tradition is called “ken qiu” (啃秋) or “yao qiu” (咬秋), which translates to “biting autumn” or “gnawing on autumn.” This involves eating watermelon and peaches on or around Liqiu. The practice is rooted in the belief that these fruits help stave off heat-related ailments and prepare the body for the seasonal change. There’s a poetic quality to it—eating the last of the summer’s bounty as a way of letting go of the hot season and welcoming the new one.

In some regions, families gather to eat dumplings together on Liqiu. Dumplings are considered a comfort food in Chinese culture, and their shape—which resembles ancient gold ingots—symbolizes wealth and good fortune. Eating dumplings on Liqiu is a way of celebrating the transition and hoping for prosperity in the coming season.

It’s worth noting that these customs vary by region. In southern China, where the weather stays hot longer, the emphasis on “building autumn fat” might be less pronounced. But the underlying philosophy—that food is medicine and that seasonal transitions deserve mindful attention—remains consistent throughout Chinese culture.

Health Tips for Liqiu

Now, here’s where Liqiu becomes genuinely useful for modern life. The health wisdom embedded in this solar term is surprisingly relevant, even today. Let’s look at some practical tips that align with both traditional Chinese Medicine and what modern wellness science tells us.

Nourish Your Lungs In TCM, autumn is the season of the lungs, and this is the time to give your respiratory system some extra attention. The lungs are considered the first line of defense against external pathogens—they’re like the body’s front door. When lung Qi is strong, you’re better equipped to fight off colds and respiratory infections.

One simple way to support lung health is through breathing exercises. Deep, mindful breathing—sometimes called “abdominal breathing” or “diaphragmatic breathing”—can help strengthen the lungs. Try this: breathe in slowly through your nose, letting your belly expand. Hold for a moment, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat five to ten times, preferably in the morning.

Foods that support lung health in TCM include pears, apples, honey, and lotus root. Pears are particularly revered for their ability to moisten the lungs and relieve dryness. You might try a simple pear and honey dessert—slice a fresh pear, drizzle with honey, and enjoy as a light snack.

Adjust to the Seasonally Shifting Energy The transition from summer to autumn is a time when your body needs to recalibrate. Here are some practical adjustments:

Get more sleep. Autumn brings longer nights, and your body naturally wants to rest more. Going to bed a bit earlier and waking with the sunrise supports your body’s natural rhythms. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep.

Stay hydrated. As the air becomes drier, your body loses moisture more easily. Drink plenty of water throughout the day—aim for at least eight glasses. You can also add foods with high water content to your diet, like cucumbers, watermelon, and citrus fruits.

Add some warmth to your diet. While summer calls for cooling foods like salads and cold drinks, autumn is the time to gradually introduce warmer foods. Soups, stews, and cooked grains are easier on your digestive system as the weather cools. Ginger, cinnamon, and garlic are warming ingredients that can support digestion.

Protect Against Autumn Dryness One of the most noticeable aspects of autumn in many parts of the world is the dryness. This applies to your skin, your throat, and your respiratory system. TCM practitioners pay particular attention to this, recommending foods that moisten and nourish.

Lotus root (lianou) is a traditional autumn food in China. It’s crunchy, slightly sweet, and has a unique texture that works well in stir-fries and soups. Lotus root is believed to nourish the blood and moisten the lungs.

Other moistening foods include pears, apples, bananas, and foods rich in healthy fats like walnuts and avocados. If you’re experiencing dry skin, consider using a humidifier in your home and applying moisturizer after showering while your skin is still damp.

Mind the Transition Perhaps the most important health tip for Liqiu is simply this: pay attention. The shift from summer to autumn affects everyone differently. Some people might feel more tired than usual. Others might notice their digestion changing or experiencing mild respiratory symptoms.

Listen to your body. If you’re feeling exhausted, rest more. If your throat feels dry, increase your fluid intake. If you’re catching a cold, take it easy and give your immune system a chance to fight it off.

In TCM philosophy, the best health strategy isn’t to treat illness after it occurs but to prevent it by living in harmony with the seasons. Liqiu is a reminder to do exactly that—to pause, to reflect on the changing environment, and to make small adjustments that support your wellbeing.

Eat Seasonal, Local Foods While the specific foods recommended in Chinese tradition might not all be available where you live, the principle remains valuable. Autumn brings an abundance of seasonal produce in most regions: apples, pears, grapes, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

Eating with the seasons isn’t just a trendy idea—it’s a way of aligning your nutrition with what your body needs. Autumn produce tends to be slightly warming and nourishing, perfect for the transition period.

Conclusion

Liqiu is more than an obscure astronomical marker. It’s a cultural touchstone that reminds us to pause and acknowledge the rhythms of nature. In a world where we’re increasingly disconnected from seasonal changes—where air conditioning and heating keep us comfortable year-round, and supermarkets stock the same foods regardless of the month—there’s something deeply grounding about honoring a tradition that dates back thousands of years.

Whether you decide to mark Liqiu by enjoying a hearty meal with family, trying a new breathing practice, or simply paying closer attention to how your body responds to the changing season, you’re participating in a wisdom tradition that has guided millions of people through the seasonal transitions of life.

As summer fades and autumn approaches, take a moment to appreciate the shift. The leaves will soon begin their spectacular transformation, the air will take on that crisp edge, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re in tune with one of humanity’s oldest ways of understanding the connection between nature, health, and wellbeing.