The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Heat, (Chinese: 大暑), the 12th solar term of the year, begins this year on July 23 and ends August 7.

During Major Heat, most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year.

In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. But solar term culture is still useful today to guide people's lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and even healthy living tips that correspond with each term.

The following are 7 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.

Peasants pull up and transplant rice seedlings in Wenling, Zhejiang province, August 2, 2010.[Photo by Liang Xuezhong/asianewsphoto.com]

 

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