Start of Autumn (Lìqiū)
Autumn begins, though Taiwan usually remains hot — the "autumn tiger" effect keeps temperatures high.
Start of Autumn (Lìqiū) — Dates by Year
| Year | Gregorian Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8/7 | Wed |
| 2025 | 8/7 | Thu |
| 2026← this year | 8/7 | Fri |
| 2027 | 8/8 | Sun |
| 2028 | 8/7 | Mon |
| 2029 | 8/7 | Tue |
| 2030 | 8/7 | Wed |
Introduction
Start of Autumn (Lìqiū) is the thirteenth solar term, falling around August 7–9 when the sun reaches 135°, marking the astronomical beginning of autumn. The character "秋" (qiū, autumn) combines "grain" and "fire," symbolizing crops ripening. Days begin to shorten and early mornings start to carry a hint of coolness. The proverb says: "When one leaf falls at Start of Autumn, the whole world knows autumn has come."
Taiwan's Autumn Tiger
Taiwan's Start of Autumn is quite different from mainland China — being subtropical, Taiwan remains extremely hot after Lìqiū, a phenomenon called "Autumn Tiger" (qiūlǎohǔ). True autumn in Taiwan typically doesn't arrive until October or later. Typhoons remain active through August and September. That said, mornings and evenings gradually become slightly cooler, with the widening day-night temperature gap signaling that change is coming.
Seasonal Nourishment
Lìqiū has the tradition of "patching for autumn" (tiē qiūbiāo) — since summer heat suppresses appetite and leads to weight loss, people take the opportunity to eat more meat and nourishing foods as the season turns. In Taiwan, warming tonic dishes like sesame oil chicken, ginger duck, and lamb hot pot become popular around this time. This is also the busy harvest season for summer crops.
Wellness
Start of Autumn wellness transitions from clearing heat to nourishing yin and moistening dryness, building a foundation for the cooler seasons. Add yin-nourishing, lung-moistening foods: white wood ear, lily bulbs, honey, sesame, and pears. As temperatures dip in the morning and evening, dress in layers. Increase outdoor exercise — hiking, jogging, and swimming — to build resilience. Maintain regular sleep, going to bed a little earlier each day.