At Hyangwonjeong Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung Palace — Where Autumn Foliage in Full Glory Reflects the Season’s Philosophy

Sanggang (霜降): The Frost’s Arrival that Colors Korea’s Autumn

Dear readers, hello!

Today, I would like to introduce Sanggang (霜降), one of Korea’s traditional 24 seasonal divisions known as jeolgi (절기).
Sanggang marks the time when frost first begins to form, and in Korea, it coincides with the peak of autumn foliage.

Let us begin!.

Introduction: Standing at the Threshold of Frost

The concept of jeolgi (seasonal divisions) originated in ancient China as part of an agricultural calendar that divided the year into 24 equal parts to mark the subtle shifts of the seasons.
This system later spread to neighboring countries such as Korea and Japan, where it was adapted to local climates and agricultural traditions.

Among these divisions, Sanggang literally means “descent of frost.” It usually falls around October 23 on the solar calendar.
At this time of year, a chill lingers in the morning and evening air, and the fields begin to sparkle with a thin layer of white frost.
It is also the moment when Korea’s autumn leaves reach their most dazzling brilliance.

If you are planning a trip to Korea in the fall, I highly recommend visiting during Sanggang.
The mountains surrounding Seoul and the country’s national parks are ablaze with crimson hues, and beneath the clear, cool skies, you can experience the true essence of Korean autumn.

Interestingly, the name of the famous Korean black bean, Seoritae (霜太), comes from the phrase “harvested after the frost.”
Frost, therefore, is not merely a sign of approaching winter—it is nature’s gift, enhancing the sweetness and nutritional value of crops.

Fruits such as persimmons, pears, jujubes, and dried persimmons (gotgam) were traditionally harvested or dried after being touched by frost.
This process deepened their natural sweetness and helped preserve them longer.
Thus, frost in Korean culture symbolizes more than a climatic phenomenon—it represents the wisdom of traditional farming and serves as a marker of seasonal transition.

1. The Definition of Sanggang – Where Autumn Meets Winter

Sanggang is the 18th of the 24 solar terms, positioned between Hanro (Cold Dew) and Ipdong (Beginning of Winter).
It occurs when the sun reaches a celestial longitude of 210 degrees, typically around October 23 or 24.

During this period, days remain clear and bright, but nights become sharply colder, often bringing the season’s first frost—or even ice.
This happens when water vapor near the ground freezes due to the lower temperatures, signaling that winter is just around the corner.

In the Joseon Dynasty, farmers viewed Sanggang as the “final stage of harvest,” a time to gather the last crops and begin preparations for winter.
It marked both the completion of labor and the beginning of rest.

2. The Height of Autumn – Frost and Foliage in Harmony

Around Sanggang, Korea reaches the very heart of autumn.
Mountains and fields are painted in vivid shades of red, orange, and yellow as sunlight softly filters through the fading leaves.

The most renowned foliage destinations during this season include Naejangsan, Seoraksan, Odaesan, and Hallasan.
Around the time of Sanggang, these places are at their most beautiful, attracting not only Koreans but also travelers from around the world.

In the early morning, a delicate layer of frost settles on grass and rooftops.
As the sun rises, the frost sparkles and melts away, creating a breathtaking scene—like the earth itself exhaling a white, misty breath.
Korean poets often wrote that such moments reminded them of “the fleeting nature of life on a frost-covered field.”
Thus, Sanggang is a season that invites reflection, sensitivity, and quiet emotion.

3. The Final Harvest – Wisdom in the Season of Frost

Traditionally, Sanggang marks the completion of the harvest season.
Crops such as rice, millet, sorghum, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, sesame, and corn are all gathered around this time.
The frost hardens their skins and concentrates sugars and moisture inside, producing food that is richer in both flavor and nutrition.

A symbolic crop of this period is the Seoritae bean.
Darker and more nutrient-rich than ordinary black beans, Seoritae is known for its benefits to blood circulation and anti-aging properties.

Sanggang is also a time to prepare for double cropping in southern regions of Korea.
An old proverb says, “Even if you plant rice ninety days after Sanggang, it grows better than mixed grains,” reflecting the farmers’ deep understanding of timing and climate.

4. Culinary Traditions of Sanggang – Late Autumn’s Flavors with Chrysanthemums

During Sanggang, chrysanthemums are in full bloom.
For centuries, Koreans have brewed chrysanthemum wine (gukhwaju, 菊花酒) by steeping the blossoms or petals in clear rice wine.
This drink was believed to ward off evil spirits and protect one’s health.
Because chrysanthemums symbolize purity, longevity, and integrity, drinking chrysanthemum wine also expressed a wish to end the year with clarity and grace.

Other traditional dishes enjoyed during this season include pumpkin porridge, radish and persimmon salad, medicinal rice (yakbap), loach soup, ginger tea, sweet potatoes, ginkgo nuts, taro, and steamed eggs.
Each dish reflects a desire to stay warm and strengthen the body in preparation for the coming winter.

5. The Custom of Sanggang – The Royal Rite of Dukje (纛祭)

During the Joseon Dynasty, a national ritual known as Dukje (纛祭) was held on Sanggang.
The word duk (纛) refers to a military banner symbolizing authority and order.
This ceremony was performed to pray for the nation’s peace and stability after the harvest season.

Although not a large-scale ritual, it was conducted with great solemnity, presided over by the Minister of War, and prepared with utmost care.
Through such ceremonies, Sanggang was recognized not only as a seasonal event but also as a time of transition at the national level—when farming ceased, the military prepared for winter, and society as a whole followed nature’s rhythm.

6. Sanggang in Literature – The Frost Within the Human Heart

The Joseon scholar Gwon Mun-hae (권문해) beautifully described Sanggang in his collection Choganseonsaeng Munjip (草澗先生文集):

“At midnight, heavy frost falls in all directions,
Making the heavens and the earth quietly pure once again.
The mountains grow pale in the distance,
While startled geese glide across the edge of the clouds.
The willows by the stream grow weak with sickness in their leaves,
And beneath the fence, cold dew makes the flowers gleam.”

This poem captures the stillness of nature and the humility of the human spirit felt during the chill of Sanggang.
Just as the frost whitens the world, so too it seems to purify the heart.
Such sentiment reflects the Korean philosophy of finding quiet enlightenment through the changing seasons.

7. Sanggang in Modern Korea – A Harmony of Nature and Sentiment

Today, Sanggang has evolved from an agricultural marker into a cultural season.
Although the Korea Meteorological Administration still refers to the 24 solar terms, most people now associate Sanggang with the peak of autumn travel.

Mountains such as Namsan and Bukhansan in Seoul, and the famous foliage spots in the Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces, display their finest colors during this time.
Chrysanthemum festivals, foliage festivals, and traditional food celebrations take place nationwide, allowing people to experience the harmony between nature and human life.

In Jeju Island, there is an old saying:
“After Sanggang, fish in the sea begin to fill with roe.”
It reflects how fishermen, like farmers, have long observed and adapted to seasonal changes in nature.

Conclusion – A Season as Clear as Frost, as Deep as Autumn Leaves

Sanggang is the final solar term of autumn and the threshold of winter’s beginning.
It is the time when frost descends, leaves glow in full color, and chrysanthemums bloom in quiet splendor—
a moment when nature pauses to prepare for the next cycle of life.

For farmers, it signifies the completion of harvest.
For poets, it is a season of contemplation.
For all of us, it is a time to cleanse the mind and slow the rhythm of life.

Korea’s Sanggang arrives quietly, yet deeply.
If you ever plan to visit Korea, consider coming in late October, during this season of transition.
Amid the frost-touched fields, crimson forests, and crystal skies,
you too may feel the gentle farewell of autumn—nature’s final greeting before winter begins.

Thank you for reading today. I look forward to sharing more great content with you next time.

This is south Korea

Sanggang (霜降): Korea’s Seasonal Wisdom Linking Nature and People in Late Autumn