Major Heat is the 12th solar term of the Chinese lunar calendar. It begins on July 23 and ends on August 6 this year.
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.
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.
