Proverbs about White Dew
“When it comes to the End of Heat, it is still hot. But eighteen days later, it is White Dew and you need to dress properly.” This proverb means that you can wash yourself with cool water during the End of Heat period, but you have to dress properly, or you’ll be attacked by the cold air. This suggests that White Dew is the real beginning of autumn.
People used to say that “since it is getting cooler, mosquitoes will gradually disappear,” which shows that the temperature varies greatly between day and night. Mosquitoes are usually very active, but after White Dew, they begin to disappear gradually and will not bite people anymore.
Proverbs about White Dew
During the White Dew period, if you go out on a clear night and watch the starry sky, you may get wet by the dew on your trouser cuffs. In the morning, you can see the water vapor near the ground has condensed into crystal dew drops on the grass. The conditions for forming dew are: clear sky, breeze and humidity of the air. There are proverbs like:
“Dew indicates that the next day will be a sunny day” “If the next day will be dry, there will be no dew” “There is no dew if the wind is strong” During this period, since the autumn is coming, it is getting cooler and the temperature varies greatly between day and night. It is cool in the morning and at night, but hot at noon. Several proverbs say:
“White Dew indicates that the autumn is coming, and it is getting cooler and cooler at night.” (Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangxi and Liaoning) “After the White Dew, it is cold at night but hot in the day.” (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hunan and Shanxi) “After the White Dew, it is cool in the morning and at night, but hot at noon.” (Hubei) “The White Dew falls in mid-autumn, so it is cool in the morning and at night.”
Losing no time to sow seeds is very important during this period. As the proverbs say:
Since the White Dew is after the Autumn Equinox, it is very busy on the farms. Do not plant garlic before the White Dew. Plant broomcorn in the White Dew and beans in the Autumn Equinox.
The Reeds and Rushes from Book of Songs
The reeds and rushes are deeply green, and the white dew in this season turns into frost. The man I am missing is on the other side of the bank. I look for him upstream, yet the road is dangerous and long. I look for him downstream, he seems right in the middle of the river.
The reeds and rushes are exuberant, yet the dew in the morning is not dry. The man I am missing is on the other side of the bank. I look for him upstream, yet the road is rough and steep. I look for him downstream, he seems right on the sand bank .
The reeds and rushes are lush, yet the remaining dew is still lingering. The man I am missing is on the other side of the bank. I look for him upstream, yet the road is winding and heavy. I look for him downstream, he seems right on the sand bank .
Sorrowful Autumn
Lu Yin Wilde geese flew over the autumn sky and disappeared in the horizon. It is cold when White Dew comes, and cicadas hiss on the bald trees. The blasted orchid down the steps still has the last breath, Yet the circular fan in hand gradually becomes useless.
