(Peoples Daily Online)15:52, July 23, 2019
According to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, a year consists of 24 solar terms. Major Heat or Dashu in Chinese, is the 12th solar term, whose arrival symbolizes that most parts of China have entered the hottest season of the year. In classical Chinese, the character 鈥淪hu鈥?was compared to 鈥渂oiling,鈥?delivering an image that the earth is like a pot of boiling water during this time period.
(Photo/Peoples Daily Weibo official account)
Three Phenomena of Major Heat
Fireflies Illuminate Summer Nights
Ancient Chinese found that fireflies usually appeared when Dashu began. They believed that fireflies were born out of decayed grass, and would come out to illuminate the sky of summer nights like shining stars.
(Photo/Yangtze Evening News)
Sweltering Summer Weather and Moist Earth
With moist soil, humid air and frequent rainfalls, the crops grow vigorously and forecast a bumper harvest.
Heavy Rains
The coming of Dashu often brings thunderstorms, which ease hot summer weather and lead to the transition to autumn. The unexpected rainfalls can also bring the joy of refreshment and coolness.
(Photo/Pixabay)
Customs of Dashu
(Photo/Peoples Daily Weibo official account)
In the coastal Areas in Zhejiang Province, there is a tradition of sending away the Major Heat ship鈥? On that day, a group of fishermen take turns to carry the ship while marching through the streets. Drums are played and fireworks are lit. On the street sides, people pray for blessings. After that, the ship is carried to the wharf, pulled out of the port and finally burned at sea. This ritual is to pray for harvests, good weather, happiness and health.
Dry ginger
Summer has the warmest sunshine in a year. However, such extreme heat also produces dried-up delicious foods such as sun dried beans, chili peppers and pickles etc. These ingredients can be eaten after being sundried for a day or two as long as the weather is good. But theres one ingredient that has to be sundried throughout the whole summer, and that is ginger.
During Major Heat, you can always find pieces of ginger enjoying a 鈥渟unbath鈥?on the rooftops and terraces in many cities of Hunan Province.
(Photo/Pixabay)
Cricket fighting
A large number of crickets can be found in the fields along the countryside during the 鈥淢ajor Heat鈥?period. Cricket fighting is a popular pastime for people in some regions of China.
