处暑：暑气渐止，天地始肃
处暑，是二十四节气中的第十四个节气，通常在公历 8 月 22 – 24 日交节。“处” 含有躲藏、终止之意，处暑表示炎热的暑气即将结束，气温开始逐渐下降，天地间的万物也随着气候的变化，从生长旺季走向成熟与萧索，标志着炎热的夏天即将过去，凉爽的秋天已然临近。
一、处暑的历史渊源
处暑的历史源远流长，在古代农耕文化中有着重要地位。据《月令七十二候集解》记载：“处暑，七月中。处，止也，暑气至此而止矣。” 古人通过对自然现象细致入微的观察，精准地把握了处暑时节气候的转变，并依此来指导农业生产。处暑时节，农作物生长进入关键时期，早稻开始成熟收割，而晚稻则正处于孕穗、抽穗阶段，需要充足的阳光和适量的水分。此时，农民们既要忙着收割早稻，又要精心照料晚稻，确保秋季的丰收，这种依据节气安排农事活动的传统，充分体现了古人对自然规律的尊重与顺应，也反映出处暑节气对于农业生产的重要性。
二、处暑的民俗文化
（一）饮食习俗
处暑有着独特的饮食习俗。民间有处暑吃鸭子的传统，因为鸭子味甘性凉，在处暑时节食用可滋阴养胃、利水消肿，非常适宜于应对处暑后逐渐干燥的气候。鸭子的烹饪方式多种多样，有烤鸭、白切鸭、老鸭汤等，不同地区有着不同的偏好。例如，北京地区的烤鸭闻名遐迩，皮脆肉嫩，香酥可口；而在南方一些地方，老鸭汤则备受青睐，以其浓郁的汤味和滋补的功效深受人们喜爱。此外，处暑时还有吃龙眼的习俗，龙眼性温味甘，有益心脾、补气血的作用，据说在处暑当天吃龙眼，其滋补功效会加倍，因此，许多地方的人们会在这一天购买新鲜龙眼，或直接食用，或用来熬粥、炖汤，以达到养生保健的目的。
（二）传统活动
处暑期间的传统活动丰富有趣。放河灯是处暑较为流行的传统活动之一，主要在我国的一些水乡地区盛行。处暑时节，人们会在河面上放置各种形状和颜色的河灯，河灯上通常会写上祝福语或心愿，任其随水漂流。这一活动最初源于对逝去亲人的缅怀与祭祀，人们认为河灯可以照亮逝者的灵魂通往彼岸的道路，后来逐渐演变成一种祈福的仪式，寓意着对平安、幸福的祈愿以及对未来美好生活的憧憬。在一些山区，处暑时节还有开渔节。经过漫长的休渔期，渔民们在处暑这一天会举行盛大的开渔仪式，祭祀海神，祈求出海平安、满载而归。随后，渔船纷纷扬帆出海，开启新一轮的渔业捕捞作业，这不仅体现了渔民们对海洋资源的敬畏与依赖，也反映了沿海地区独特的渔业文化和民俗风情。
三、处暑的文化意义
处暑蕴含着深刻的文化意义。从自然科学角度看，它是气温变化的一个重要节点，反映了地球气候系统在季节交替过程中的调整与转换，是大自然规律的生动体现。在文化层面，处暑的民俗活动反映了人们对自然变化的敏锐感知与适应策略。吃鸭子、龙眼等饮食习俗体现了人们利用食物的特性来调节身体，以适应季节转换带来的气候差异；而放河灯、开渔节等传统活动则蕴含着人们对生死的思考、对祖先的敬重、对海洋的感恩以及对生活的热爱与期待。处暑就像一座桥梁，连接着自然与人文，传承着中华民族古老的智慧与情感，让人们在感受季节变迁的同时，领悟到生命的轮回与不息，激励着人们在新的季节里，秉持敬畏自然之心，积极规划生活，追求身心的和谐与安宁。
End of Heat: The Summer Heat Gradually Subsides, and the World Begins to Cool
End of Heat is the fourteenth solar term among the twenty-four solar terms, usually occurring around August 22 – 24 in the Gregorian calendar. The character “Chu” implies hiding or coming to an end. End of Heat indicates that the sweltering summer heat is about to end, and the temperature starts to drop gradually. With the change of climate, all things in the world are moving from the peak growth season to maturity and desolation. It marks that the hot summer is passing and the cool autumn is approaching.
1. Historical Origin of End of Heat
End of Heat has a long and profound history and holds an important position in ancient agricultural culture. According to “The Collection and Explanation of the Seventy-two Phenological Terms of the Monthly Ordinances”: “End of Heat, in the middle of the seventh lunar month. ‘Chu’ means stop. The summer heat stops here.” The ancients, through their meticulous observation of natural phenomena, accurately grasped the climate change during the End of Heat season and used it to guide agricultural production. During End of Heat, the growth of crops enters a crucial period. Early rice starts to mature and be harvested, while late rice is in the booting and heading stage and requires sufficient sunlight and appropriate amount of water. At this time, farmers are busy harvesting early rice and carefully taking care of late rice to ensure a good harvest in autumn. This tradition of arranging farming activities according to solar terms fully reflects the ancients’ respect and compliance with the laws of nature and also shows the importance of the End of Heat solar term for agricultural production.
2. Folk Culture of End of Heat
(1) Dietary Customs
End of Heat has unique dietary customs. There is a traditional custom of eating ducks during End of Heat among the people. Because ducks are sweet in taste and cool in nature, eating them during End of Heat can nourish yin, regulate the stomach, promote diuresis and reduce swelling, which is very suitable for dealing with the gradually drying climate after End of Heat. There are various cooking methods for ducks, such as roast duck, plain boiled duck, duck soup, etc. Different regions have different preferences. For example, the roast duck in Beijing is famous for its crispy skin and tender meat and delicious taste; while in some southern regions, duck soup is highly favored and deeply loved by people for its rich flavor and nourishing effect. In addition, there is also a custom of eating longan during End of Heat. Longan is warm in nature and sweet in taste and has the functions of benefiting the heart and spleen and replenishing qi and blood. It is said that the nourishing effect of eating longan on the day of End of Heat will be doubled. Therefore, people in many places will buy fresh longan on this day, either eat it directly or use it to make porridge or soup for the purpose of health preservation.
(2) Traditional Activities
The traditional activities during End of Heat are rich and interesting. Releasing river lanterns is one of the more popular traditional activities during End of Heat, mainly prevailing in some water town areas in China. During End of Heat, people will place river lanterns of various shapes and colors on the river surface. Usually, blessings or wishes are written on the river lanterns, and they are allowed to float with the water. This activity originally stemmed from the remembrance and sacrifice for the deceased relatives. People believed that river lanterns could light the way for the souls of the deceased to the other side. Later, it gradually evolved into a blessing ceremony, implying the prayers for peace, happiness and the longing for a beautiful future life. In some mountainous areas, there is a Fishing Festival during End of Heat. After a long fishing moratorium, fishermen will hold a grand fishing opening ceremony on the day of End of Heat, sacrifice to the sea god, pray for a safe voyage and a full load of fish. Subsequently, fishing boats set sail one after another to start a new round of fishing operations. This not only reflects the fishermen’s awe and dependence on marine resources but also shows the unique fishery culture and folk customs in coastal areas.
3. Cultural Significance of End of Heat
End of Heat contains profound cultural significance. From the perspective of natural science, it is an important node of temperature change, reflecting the adjustment and transformation of the earth’s climate system during the season alternation and is a vivid manifestation of the laws of nature. On a cultural level, the folk activities of End of Heat reflect people’s acute perception of natural changes and adaptive strategies. Dietary customs such as eating ducks and longan reflect that people use the characteristics of food to adjust their bodies to adapt to the climate differences brought about by the season change; while traditional activities such as releasing river lanterns and Fishing Festival contain people’s thoughts on life and death, respect for ancestors, gratitude for the ocean and love and expectation for life. End of Heat is like a bridge, connecting nature and humanity, inheriting the ancient wisdom and emotions of the Chinese nation. It makes people understand the cycle and continuity of life while feeling the seasonal changes and inspires people to hold the heart of respecting nature, actively plan life and pursue the harmony and peace of body and mind in the new season.