End of Heat: Farewell to torridity

End of Heat: Farewell to torridity

04:43

Though heat waves remain in the vast land of China, comfortable breezes start to blow in morning and night, bringing a hint of coolness.

The End of Heat, or "Chushu" in Chinese pinyin, arrives on Aug. 22 this year. The Chinese character “Chu” means hiding and retreating, thus "Chushu" connotes "out of the heat." As the 14th of the 24 solar terms in China, it marks thetime of temperature transition when people wave goodbye to the sweating season.

Three phases of End of Heat

Based on the sun’s position in the zodiac, the traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms, each of which consists of three phases.

In the first phase of "Chushu", eagles hover in the sky, catching smaller birds and piling them on the ground.

In the second phase, the living creatures begin to wither away in the soughing autumn wind, leaving the world a bleak atmosphere.

The third phase witnesses the ripening of crops. After sweating in the scorching sun on the farmland during the dog days, farmers are about to usher in a bumper harvest.

Rich folk customs

This is the best harvest season for the fishermen. For the fishermen living in the coastal areas of China, the summer fishing moratorium ends by this time of a year. Annual fishing festivals and other grand celebrations see off the fishermen sailing to sea. Not only can people enjoy the freshest seafood, but also all kinds of tourism and cultural activities thrive at this time.

It’s also a time for giving thanks for blessings and a season for remembering the departed. The 15th day of the seventh lunar month in China marks the Zhongyuan Festival or Ghost Festival, which falls at the end of "Chushu" this year. Paying homage to ancestors, people afloat lotus lanterns to mourn the death of loved ones and bless those who are alive.

As a Chinese saying goes: "Enjoy the clouds of various forms in July and August."The autumn sky is clear and the air is crisp. Clouds in the sky scatter around in different shapes. It’s high time that people went for field trips with friends and families, and enjoyed the beauty of nature.

Wisdom in bite and sup

As the old saying goes:"Bread is the staff of life." The Chinese wisdom of life is reflected in their diet that changes with the seasons.

The weather gradually cools down after the End of Heat, while the temperature still hits high sometimes.

A tradition in this period is to eat duck, which is considered to be cooling in Chinese customs. In Beijing, people often cook it with lily bulbs, while it’s more common to have duck soup in the south of the country.

And some people drink herbal tea during this solar term to reduce liver inflammation. Another preferred beverage is the sour plum drink that could help soothe sore throats and facilitate digestion. Pear, apple, and grape are seasonal fruits that keep people hydrated in this drought season.

Life starts all over again

"And all at once, summer collapsed into fall." People perhaps can’t help being sentimental as the autumn wind blows off the leaves and takes away the most vigorous time in a year.

But it’s also a chance for life to start all over again. To keep physically and mentally healthy, it’s advisable to take a nap, listen to music and exercise properly. Don’t forget to keep you warm while asleep as there may be a chill in the air overnight.

------------------------------------------

Producers: Ge Subiao, Yang Guoqiang

Supervisors: Yu Weiya, Liu Hongde, Zhou Nianjun

Reporters: Hang Zebo, Wang Jingyun, Li Yongxi, Lei Wenwen

Interns: Dai Yian, Zhang Qiudi, Zhang Mingming

Designer: Zhao Danyang

Editors: Tao Yiping, Guan Kailiang, Li Ang, Wang Chao