In the lives of our ancestors, their livelihoods were heavily dependent on agriculture, so the month of August was a busy time for farming. August was also a time of preparing for storms, as failure to harvest in time could result in crop loss and poverty. Additionally, August is a hot month with intense sunlight.
In East Asian culture, December is a month of many ceremonies and celebrations, such as ancestor worship and birthday celebrations. It is especially known as the month of the biggest festival of the year. Therefore, December is a busy month for women who take care of household chores, ensuring everything is well-prepared for the festivities. This is when women showcase their skills as homemakers and take on multiple household responsibilities. December is also a cold month with strong yin energy.

Men in August, Women in December
What does it mean for men to be in August and women to be in December?
This old saying implies that men have to work hard and face challenges in August, which is when they can prove themselves. Women, on the other hand, show their talents and abilities the most in December, but this is also when they have the most worries and responsibilities. Therefore, August is the most challenging month for men, while December is the most stressful month for women. To evaluate men and women, one should look at their behavior during these specific periods.
Furthermore, this saying also refers to the concept of birth season. Men born in August and women born in December are believed to have a tough fate.
When evaluating men in August, it is important to consider the laborious nature of the farming season. Men are the main labor force and the pillars of their families. Healthy men will have a good harvest, but they will also be the most worried about how to timely ensure enough food for their families and prevent damage from storms. This is a time when men are facing challenges, but they also have the opportunity to showcase their abilities. Strong and capable men will have the best harvest, while weak men will struggle and may not be able to ensure a successful harvest. In the past, men were the primary labor force, so families without sufficient men would face great hardships. Men who lack strength will not be able to provide for their families in the future.
Because August is the most challenging month for men, it is believed that boys born in this month signify hardship. Moreover, boys born in August, a month characterized by hot and strong yang energy, may not have a favorable fate due to an imbalance of yang energy.

December is a time when women worry about many things
When evaluating women in December, it is important to consider the cold weather and the many ceremonies and festivals that involve family gatherings, ancestral worship, and celebrations. Women have to stay up late and wake up early, showcasing their diligence during this time. They demonstrate their skills as homemakers by sewing and embroidering clothes for their husbands, children, and relatives for the upcoming festivities, as well as preparing gifts for elderly family members and taking care of ancestral worship rituals. Therefore, this is a crucial time to evaluate women. Additionally, December is a cold month with strong yin energy.
Girls born in December, a month characterized by chilly weather and busy household routines, may not receive as much attention compared to other less busy times. Furthermore, being born during the cold season reduces their chances of survival. Therefore, the destinies of girls born in December are considered less favorable compared to those born in other months.
Are these beliefs still valid today?
From the perspective of yin and yang, August is a month of strong yang energy, while December is a month of strong yin energy. Therefore, the belief that boys should be born in August and girls should be born in December still holds the idea that a balanced yin and yang is needed in life, without favoring one over the other.
However, the notion of men worrying in August and women worrying in December is no longer applicable today. Gender equality and evolving roles in both work and family dynamics have brought about changes. While certain traditions and ceremonies still exist in December, they are not as burdensome as they used to be.
This information is provided for reference purposes.