Today is Mid-Autumn Festival which is celebrated on the 15th of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar.In China, the government designated this festival as a public holiday in 2008 in order to promote traditional culture.
秋分 or Autumnal Equinox is the 16th solar term in the Chinese calendar. It marks the midpoint of autumn when day and night are even in length. After the Autumnal Equinox, night becomes longer than day.The difference between day and night temperatures becomes pronounced.Traditional customs include the distribution of pictures depicting cattle in working in the fields, standing eggs on ends, flying of kites etc.
白露 Bailu (White Dew) is the 15th solar term. The weather has already turned cool and water vapor condenses into dewdrops on vegetation overnight, hence the name. Temperatures drop rapidly and there is continuous rain in certain parts of China such as the southwest. It becomes important to keep warm and prevent autumn dryness. Traditional foods for these period include longans (in Fuzhou, Fujian), wine, grapes and sweet potatoes.