立秋将至：关于立秋的9个小常识 24 Solar Terms: 9 things about Start of Autumn

Eating gourds 吃瓜

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), people would put gourds outside for a day before the Start of Autumn, and eat them on Start of Autumn day to drive off the summer heat. Today people in Tianjin still keep this custom, believing that eating melons such as towel gourd, white gourd and bitter gourd can prevent diarrhea in autumn and the coming winter and spring.

清朝时，人们会在立秋前一天在屋子外面挂一根瓜，然后在立秋当天吃掉，从而祛除夏季的暑气。现在天津人仍然保留着这一习俗，认为吃丝瓜、冬瓜、苦瓜等瓜类食物可以预防秋冬春季腹泻。