Minor Heat, or Xiaoshu in Chinese, is the 11th solar term in the traditional 24-solar-term cycle, typically beginning around July 7th and ending around July 22nd . It occurs when the Sun reaches the celestial longitude of 105° . The term signifies that the weather is getting hot, though it has not yet reached its most extreme point . It marks the formal arrival of the "dog days" (sanfu), the hottest and most humid period of the year, and serves as a prelude to the peak of summer's heat .
In terms of agricultural phenology, Minor Heat is a period of vigorous growth for crops, as well as a season of frequent storms, thunder, and hail . In southern China, the plum rain season typically ends, while precipitation in the north increases significantly . The farming proverb, "During Minor Heat, have the mould and damp removed," underscores the importance of this time for field management, flood control, and drought relief .
Historically, Minor Heat has nurtured a variety of customs centered around diet and adapting to the heat. The folk tradition of "eating new produce" (shixin) involved milling freshly harvested rice and wheat to make cakes and noodles, which were shared with neighbors and offered to ancestors to pray for a bountiful harvest . In northern China, the custom of "eating dumplings" during the first "fu" period was popular, as dumplings were believed to help refresh the appetite during the "bitter summer" when people tend to lose it . Additional customs include sunning clothes and books to prevent mildew, and in some regions, eating melons, lotus roots, and eels for their nutritional and cooling properties . These traditions reflect a deep understanding of nature's rhythm and the wisdom of maintaining health and harmony amidst the rising heat.
By Yuan Ruichen/ Zhang Yishuo
