Major Heat
The hottest stretch of the year. Fireflies rise from decaying grass, and sudden downpours sweep the afternoons — night-glow and thunder equally grand.
The cassia moon-wheel opens at midnight;
firefly lanterns light the empty air.
— Yuan Zhen (Tang), “Verses on the 24 Qi · Major Heat”
桂轮开子夜
萤火照空时
元稹 · 咏廿四气诗 · 大暑六月中
萤火照空时
元稹 · 咏廿四气诗 · 大暑六月中
Amber
Three Pentads
三候The ancients divided each solar term into three pentads of five days, recording nature's subtle changes.
I
一候 腐草为萤
First pentad — Rotting grass births fireflies
II
二候 土润溽暑
Second pentad — Earth grows damp, air sultry
III
三候 大雨时行
Third pentad — Great rains fall in season
Seasonal Palette
节气色谱One leading color with three companions, all drawn from the traditional Chinese color canon.
琥珀#CA6924
hǔpò · Amber
萤黄#E9C46A
yínghuáng · Firefly Glow
夜合蓝#3C4A66
yèhélán · Dusk Indigo
西瓜红#D2575B
xīguāhóng · Watermelon Red
Customs
风物Drinking herbal “fu tea” offered at village pavilions to cool the dog days.
饮伏茶——村口凉亭施茶,一碗草药凉茶解三伏酷热。
Sun-curing ginger slices to brew warming drinks come autumn.
晒伏姜——生姜切片晒于烈日,入秋冲水驱寒暖胃。