Li-chiu (noun) 立秋 (Chinese): Beginning of autumn (13th solar term) literally in Chinese “li” 立 = stand, “chiu” 秋 = autumn.

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In Chinese calendar, Li-chiu is the 13th solar term. Li-chiu begins when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 135° and ends when it reaches the longitude of 150°. It often refers in particular to the day when the Sun is exactly at the celestial longitude of 135°. In the Gregorian calendar, it usually begins around August 7 and ends around August 23.

Li-chiu means that the autumn is coming and the heat of summer is replaced by cooling breeze of the autumn. In ancient China there is an idiom of “deciduous autumn”. The falling leaves of the Chinese parasol tree 梧桐树 (wu-tong-shu) tells you Li-chiu 立秋 is coming. There are three climate periods in Li-chiu.  At the beginning climate period of Li-chiu 凉风至, the cool breeze arrives. At the second climate period 白露生, you have dew at dawn and at the third climate period 寒蝉鸣; you will hear cicadas chirping. However some years you may have very hot weather during day time in China known as “autumn tiger” climate.

Since ancient times, Li-chiu has been a solar term for agricultural purposes in the lunar calendar. Li-chiuis is still remembered and celebrated as a Chinese traditional festival.