Why Chinese Tradition Eats Duck at the End of Summer

Why is duck traditionally eaten during Chǔshǔ (處暑), the End of Heat?

Chǔshǔ marks a subtle seasonal turning point: the summer heat has not completely disappeared, but autumn has already begun. In traditional Chinese thinking, this transition also influences how people understand food and seasonal living.

In this video, we explore why duck has a special place in this tradition. A bird is associated with Yang (陽), while water is associated with Yin (陰). Because ducks belong to both worlds—flying as birds while spending much of their lives in water—they are traditionally understood through a balance of Yin and Yang.

By comparing duck with chicken and other foods, we can see a broader principle behind traditional Chinese food philosophy: as nature changes, the way we live and eat should change with it.

This video is adapted from a HECHINESE membership lesson on Chǔshǔ and seasonal living. In the full membership course, we explore the solar terms and the wider cultural philosophy behind living in rhythm with seasonal change.

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