24節(jié)氣大暑：這7個習(xí)俗你可能并不知道

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.

中國傳統(tǒng)的農(nóng)歷將一年分為24個節(jié)氣，其中大暑(Major Heat)是一年中第12個節(jié)氣，今年的大暑從7月23日開始，至8月7日結(jié)束。

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

在大暑時節(jié)，中國大多數(shù)地區(qū)都會迎來一年中最熱的時候。

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.

在中國，24節(jié)氣是數(shù)千年前指導(dǎo)人們農(nóng)業(yè)生產(chǎn)的金科玉律。然而即使在現(xiàn)代，節(jié)氣文化也依然通過與每個節(jié)氣相對應(yīng)的特殊食物、文化儀式、以及健康生活指南指導(dǎo)著人們的生活。

The following are 7 things you should know about Major Heat.

以下就是關(guān)于大暑你可能不知道的7件事。

A season of harvesting and planting

一、夏收夏種正當(dāng)時

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.

大暑時節(jié)，陽光、高溫和大量降雨都對農(nóng)作物的生長有好處。但是就像小暑一樣，大暑時節(jié)也會發(fā)生諸如洪澇、干旱、臺風(fēng)等多種自然災(zāi)害。因此，大暑時節(jié)及時做好夏收夏種工作、避免自然災(zāi)害造成損失就很重要了。

Sending the Major Heat ship

二、送大暑船

Sending the Major Heat ship is a folk tradition spanning hundreds of years in Taizhou, Zhejiang province.

送大暑船是浙江臺州幾百年來的民間傳統(tǒng)。

The ship is filled with various animals for sacrifice 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 street are filled with people praying for blessings.

大暑船上滿載著各種各樣的動物做祭品，包括豬、羊、雞、魚和蝦等等。50多名漁民輪流扛著船穿過街道，同時還要敲鑼打鼓、燃放煙花爆竹。此時，街道兩旁往往擠滿了祈福的人群。

After a series of ceremonies, the ship is finally carried to the wharf. Then, the ship is pulled out of the fishing port and burned at sea. People carry out this ritual to pray for good harvests and health.

在一系列儀式過后，大暑船最終會被送到碼頭。然后，大暑船會被拖出漁港，在海里燒掉。人們進(jìn)行這種儀式是為祈求豐收和健康。

Cricket fighting

三、斗蟋蟀

Major Heat is a season with the largest number of crickets that can be found in the fields along the countryside. Cricket fighting is a popular pastime for some people in China during this period. The custom dates back more than 1,000 years to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).

大暑時節(jié)，人們能在鄉(xiāng)村田間找到最多的蟋蟀。在這個時候，斗蟋蟀就是許多中國人消遣時光的最好娛樂。斗蟋蟀的習(xí)俗可以追溯到1000多年前的唐朝(618-907年)。

Eating litchi and mizao

四、吃荔枝和米糟

On the day of Major Heat, there is a custom of eating litchi, Mizao in Putian, Fujian province, as a celebration of Major Heat.

為慶賀大暑，福建莆田地區(qū)有在大暑這一天吃荔枝和米糟的習(xí)俗。

Litchi is a nutritious fruit containing glucose and vitamins. People usually soak litchi in cold well water first and eat it. It is said that litchi during Major Heat is as nourishing as ginseng.

荔枝營養(yǎng)豐富，富含葡萄糖和維生素。人們首先會把荔枝放到冰冷的井水中，放涼之后再吃。而中國也有一句諺語稱“大暑吃荔枝，滋補(bǔ)賽人參”。

Mizao is made of fermented rice. On the day of Major Heat, people cook them with brown sugar. It can reinforce the vital energy of the human body.

米糟由發(fā)酵的大米制成。在大暑這一天，人們會將米糟和紅糖一起烹煮，據(jù)稱這種食物可以固本培元。

Drinking mutton soup

五、喝羊肉湯

There is a custom in southern Shandong province where people drink mutton soup on the day of Major Heat. Many people go to local restaurants to drink mutton soup, which is called "summer mutton soup."

山東地區(qū)有在大暑時節(jié)喝羊湯的習(xí)俗。這個時候，人們往往回到當(dāng)?shù)氐牟宛^喝羊肉湯，也被稱之為“夏季羊肉湯”。

Eating pineapples

六、吃鳳梨

There is a saying in Taiwan which goes, "eating pineapples in Major Heat." During the period of Major Heat, pineapple tastes best.

臺灣有一句諺語叫“大暑吃鳳梨”。大暑時節(jié)，鳳梨的味道是最好的。

Eating grass jelly

七、燒仙草

Grass jelly, "Xiancaodong" in Chinese, is made with a special grass whose stems and leaves can be made into herb jelly after being dried in the sun.

“仙草凍”由一種特殊的草制成，這種草的莖葉曬干之后就能制成燒仙草了。

With the amazing ability to quell the summer heat, grass jelly is described in a popular saying in Guangdong province that goes, "eating herb jelly in Major Heat will make you stay young like the immortals."

燒仙草具有驚人的消暑能力，廣東就有一句流傳頗廣的諺語稱“六月大暑吃仙草，活如神仙不會老”。

The herb jelly looks and tastes like another jelly-like Guilinggao, or called Turtle Jelly, but without the bitter taste!

燒仙草看起來和吃起來都很像龜苓膏，但卻沒有那種苦味。