What is the origin of the great summer heat?

The origin of the solar term "Great Summer" is related to the observation of solar movement and seasonal changes in ancient times.

In ancient times, people found that the annual orbit of the sun showed the law of seasonal alternation. In order to better master farming and life, we began to divide different solar terms according to the position of the sun and the orbit of the earth. The summer heat is one of the important solar terms.

The name "Great Summer" comes from the observation and feelings of ancient farmers on summer climate change. During this period, the direct angle of the sun to the ground is the largest, which leads to extremely hot weather. Great summer heat means the hottest period. During this period, the temperature usually reaches the highest point in a year. The sky is blue, the sun is strong, and extreme high temperature and dryness have become the main characteristics of people's lives.

In ancient China, farmers made a living by farming, so it is very important to observe and master the weather changes. As the last solar term in summer, the summer heat marks the end of summer and the approach of autumn. During the hot summer, farmers need to harvest summer crops, such as wheat, barley and corn. And prepare for autumn farming by ploughing and sowing. The high temperature during the summer also means that the growth of crops has entered the harvest period, and farmers need to take timely measures to protect crops and ensure a bumper harvest.

The custom of summer solar terms:

1. Sending summer boats: There is a custom of sending summer boats in the coastal areas of Zhejiang, especially in Taiwan Province and many fishing villages. It means to send the "five saints" out of the sea, send them to the summer to protect peace, and wish people a bumper harvest and a healthy life. When sending the summer boat, it is accompanied by colorful folk cultural performances.

2. Dried ginger: In Shanxi, Henan and other places, in the dog days, slice or juice ginger, mix it with brown sugar, put it in a container, cover it with gauze and dry it.

3. Drinking tea: Since ancient times, people have the custom of drinking tea in the dog days of summer. Tea is the tea you drink in dog days. It is a tea made of more than ten kinds of Chinese herbal medicines such as honeysuckle, selfheal and licorice. In many rural areas in ancient times, some tea leaves were put in the pavilion at the entrance of the village and given to passers-by for free.

4. Summer heat: Putian people have the custom of eating litchi, mutton and rice on the day of summer heat, which is called "summer heat". Litchi and mutton are often given as gifts to relatives and friends on this day in summer.