Major Heat is the 12th solar term of the Chinese lunar calendar. It begins on July 23 and ends on August 6 this year.
大暑，是24节气中的第12个。今年开始于7月23日，结束于8月6日。
Similar to Minor Heat, Major Heat is also a solar term that reflects the heat of summer. Major Heat means extreme heat. During Major Heat, most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year. 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.
和小暑一样，大暑也反映了夏季的炎热天气，意味着极热天气的到来。大暑时节，中国绝大部分地区进入了一年中最热的时段，日照、高温和降雨都有利于农作物的生长。但是，和小暑节气一样，大暑期间也时常发生洪水、干旱和台风等自然灾害。因此，抓紧时间进行收获和播种，从而规避自然灾害造成的损失，是十分重要的。
Major Heat is a season with the largest number of crickets that can be found in the fields of countryside. Cricket fighting is a popular pastime for some people in some regions in China during this period. The custom dates back more than 1,000 years to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The days around the Major Heat also witness the blossom season of jasmines and lotuses. At this time of the year, many tourists and photographers go to the park and enjoy the lotus exhibition.
大暑是乡村田野蟋蟀最多的时节。在中国某些地区，人们茶余饭后把斗蟋蟀作为消遣。这个习俗可追溯到一千多年前的唐朝（公元618-907年）。大暑前后也是茉莉花和荷花盛开的季节。每年的这个时候，很多游客和摄影师都会前往公园欣赏荷花展。
