The traditional Chinese Lunar Calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Heat(大暑), the 12th solar term of the year, begins this year on July 23 and ends on August 6.During Major Heat, most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year. The following are some things you should know about Major Heat.
A season of harvesting and planting
During Major Heat, the sunshine, high temperatures, and heavy rainfall are good for agricultural crops. But like Minor Heat, many natural calamities such as floods, droughts and typhoons also happen during Major Heat. Therefore, it's important to harvest and plant in time to avoid setbacks caused by natural disasters.
Sending the Major Heat ship in Zhejiang
The ship is filled with various animals for sacrifice(祭品) such as pigs, sheep, chicken, fish and shrimps. More than 50 fishermen take turns carrying the ship as they march through the streets. Drums are played and fireworks are lit. Both sides of the streets are filled with people praying for blessings. After a series of ceremonies, the ship is finally carried to the wharf(码头)．Then, the ship is pulled out of the fishing port and burned at sea. People carry out this ritual(典礼) to pray for good harvests and health.
Eating litchi and Mizao in Fujian
On the day of Major Heat, there is a custom of eating litchi, Mizao in Putian, Fujian Province, as a celebration of Major Heat. Litchi is a nutritious(有营养的) fruit. People usually soak(浸泡) litchi in cold well water first and eat it. Mizao is made of fermented (已发酵的)rice. On the day of Major Heat, people cook them with brown sugar.
微信扫码预览、分享更方便
