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What is Dashu (Major Heat)?
Dashu (大暑), meaning "Major Heat", is the 12th solar term in the Chinese 24 Solar Terms (二十四节气). It typically falls around July 22–24, marking the hottest and most humid period of the year—even more intense than Xiaoshu (Minor Heat, 小暑).
Key Features of Dashu:
Peak Summer Heat
Temperatures reach their highest, often exceeding 35°C (95°F) in many regions.
Combined with high humidity, it creates "sauna-like" conditions.
Agricultural Importance
Critical time for crop growth (e.g., rice, cotton). Farmers focus on irrigation and pest control.
The saying "大暑不暑，五谷不鼓" ("If Dashu isn’t hot, grains won’t thrive") highlights its role in harvests.
Health & Traditions
Diet: People eat cooling foods like:
Litchi (荔枝), mung bean soup (绿豆汤), and winter melon (冬瓜) to beat the heat.
In some regions, "Fuling duck" (伏苓鸭) is eaten to replenish energy.
Health Tips: Avoid midday sun, stay hydrated, and prevent heatstroke.
Cultural Practices
Ancient rituals included offering sacrifices to the "Heat God" (暑神) for cooler weather.
"Sanfu (三伏)": Dashu often overlaps with the hottest 30–40 days of the year, called Sanfu, when traditional Chinese medicine recommends therapies like moxibustion (艾灸).
Dashu vs. Xiaoshu (Major Heat vs. Minor Heat)
Aspect Dashu (Major Heat) Xiaoshu (Minor Heat)
Timing ~July 22–24 ~July 7–8
Temperature Peak heat (hottest days) Rising heat (pre-peak)
Humidity Extreme (muggy) High (but less than Dashu)
Farming Harvest prep; pest control Crop growth acceleration
Example Sentences:
"During Dashu, the scorching sun and sticky air make it the toughest time of summer."
"Eating litchi in Dashu is a centuries-old tradition in Fujian to ‘expel the summer heat’."
Would you like details on Sanfu days or traditional cooling remedies? 🌡️🍵
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