大暑：酷热三伏，万物荣华
大暑，二十四节气中的第十二个节气，通常在公历 7 月 22 – 24 日交节。此时正值 “三伏天” 里的 “中伏” 前后，是一年中阳光最猛烈、气温最高且又潮湿闷热的时段，全国大部分地区都处于酷热难耐的环境之中，然而，在这炎炎烈日下，万物却也呈现出一片繁荣昌盛的景象，大暑既考验着世间万物的耐受极限，也孕育着生命的蓬勃力量。
一、大暑的历史渊源
大暑在我国历史悠久，其记载最早可追溯至《月令七十二候集解》：“六月中，解见小暑。” 古人通过对自然气候长期细致的观察，总结出大暑的气候特点，并依据这些特点安排农事活动。在传统农业社会，大暑时节虽酷热，但也是农作物生长极为关键的时期。高温多雨的气候有利于水稻等农作物的快速生长，但同时也带来了诸如洪涝、病虫害等诸多挑战。农民们需要加强田间管理，及时灌溉排水、防治病虫害，以保障农作物能够在这极端的气候条件下茁壮成长，为秋季的丰收辛勤劳作，这充分体现了古人对自然规律的深刻认识以及在农业生产中坚韧不拔的精神。
二、大暑的民俗文化
（一）饮食习俗
大暑有着独特的饮食习俗。民间有饮伏茶的传统，伏茶通常由金银花、夏枯草、甘草等多种中草药煮成，具有清凉祛暑、清热解毒的功效。在大暑期间，人们会将伏茶摆放在村口、凉亭等地，免费供过往路人饮用，以帮助大家抵御酷热，预防中暑，这一习俗体现了人们在炎炎夏日中的互助互爱精神。吃仙草也是大暑的特色饮食之一，仙草又名凉粉草，其加工制成的凉粉口感爽滑，是消暑解渴的佳品，在台湾等地，大暑吃仙草的习俗尤为盛行，并有 “大暑吃仙草，活如神仙不会老” 的说法，反映出人们对仙草清凉消暑作用的认可与喜爱。此外，在一些地区还有吃荔枝、羊肉等习俗，荔枝在大暑时节成熟，味道甜美多汁，而吃羊肉则源于 “冬病夏治” 的理念，人们认为在大暑时食用羊肉等温热食物，可以排出体内寒气，增强身体抵抗力，为即将到来的秋冬季节做好准备。
（二）传统活动
大暑期间的传统活动丰富多样且颇具地域特色。在浙江沿海地区，有大暑送 “大暑船” 的习俗。“大暑船” 内载满各种祭品，渔民们会在大暑这一天举行盛大的仪式，将 “大暑船” 送出海，以祈求风调雨顺、出海平安、渔业丰收，这一习俗反映了沿海居民对海洋的敬畏之心以及对美好生活的强烈渴望。在福建莆田等地，有大暑时节吃荔枝、羊肉并举行 “过大暑” 仪式的传统，人们会在这一天祭祀祖先、神灵，然后全家团聚，共享美食，同时还会举办一些如莆仙戏表演等娱乐活动，热闹非凡，展现了浓厚的地方民俗文化氛围。此外，大暑时节，一些地方还有晒伏姜的习俗，人们将生姜切片或榨汁后与红糖搅拌在一起，装入容器中，蒙上纱布，置于阳光下晾晒，伏姜可用于治疗伤风感冒、胃寒呕吐等病症，这是人们利用大暑的阳光进行养生保健的一种方式，体现了民间传统医学与节气的紧密结合。
三、大暑的文化意义
大暑蕴含着丰富而深刻的文化意义。从自然层面来看，它是地球气候循环的一个重要阶段，极端的高温与潮湿虽然给生物带来了生存压力，但也促使万物在适应环境中不断进化与发展，体现了生命的顽强与坚韧。在文化层面，大暑的民俗活动反映了人们对自然的敬畏、对生活的热爱以及对健康的关注。无论是饮伏茶、吃仙草等饮食习俗，还是送 “大暑船”、晒伏姜等传统活动，都凝聚着人们对家庭、社区和自然的情感连接，展示了中华民族在长期历史发展过程中形成的团结互助、顺应自然、养生保健等文化理念与价值观念。大暑如同一个文化纽带，将人与自然、历史与现代紧密相连，使中华民族的文化基因在岁月的长河中得以传承与延续，不断激励着人们在面对困难与挑战时保持乐观积极的态度，追求和谐美好的生活。
Great Heat: The Sweltering Dog Days, All Things Flourish
Great Heat, the twelfth solar term among the twenty-four solar terms, usually occurs around July 22 – 24 in the Gregorian calendar. At this time, it is around the “mid-dog days” of the “dog days”, which is the period of the year with the most intense sunlight, the highest temperature and humid and sweltering heat. Most parts of the country are in an unbearably hot environment. However, under this scorching sun, all things also present a prosperous scene. Great Heat not only tests the tolerance limit of all things in the world but also breeds the vigorous power of life.
1. Historical Origin of Great Heat
Great Heat has a long history in China. Its earliest record can be traced back to “The Collection and Explanation of the Seventy-two Phenological Terms of the Monthly Ordinances”: “In the middle of the sixth lunar month, see the explanation of Slight Heat.” The ancients, through long-term and meticulous observation of the natural climate, summarized the climatic characteristics of Great Heat and arranged farming activities according to these characteristics. In traditional agricultural society, although it is extremely hot during Great Heat, it is also a crucial period for the growth of crops. The hot and rainy climate is conducive to the rapid growth of crops such as rice, but it also brings many challenges such as floods and pests and diseases. Farmers need to strengthen field management, timely irrigate and drain, and prevent pests and diseases to ensure that crops can thrive under these extreme climatic conditions and work hard for the autumn harvest. This fully reflects the ancients’ profound understanding of the laws of nature and their indomitable spirit in agricultural production.
2. Folk Culture of Great Heat
(1) Dietary Customs
Great Heat has unique dietary customs. There is a traditional custom of drinking “dog day tea” among the people. “Dog day tea” is usually made by boiling a variety of Chinese herbal medicines such as honeysuckle, selfheal and licorice, which has the effects of relieving summer heat and clearing heat and detoxifying. During Great Heat, people will place “dog day tea” in the village entrance, pavilions and other places and provide it free of charge for passers-by to drink to help them resist the intense heat and prevent heatstroke. This custom reflects the spirit of mutual assistance and love among people in the hot summer. Eating “grass jelly” is also one of the characteristic diets of Great Heat. “Grass jelly” is also known as mesona chinensis. The jelly made from it has a smooth texture and is a good product for relieving summer heat and quenching thirst. In Taiwan and other places, the custom of eating “grass jelly” during Great Heat is particularly popular, and there is a saying that “eating grass jelly during Great Heat makes one live like a god and never grow old”, reflecting people’s recognition and love for the cooling and heat-relieving effect of “grass jelly”. In addition, in some regions, there are also customs of eating lychees and mutton. Lychees ripen during Great Heat and have a sweet and juicy taste. The custom of eating mutton comes from the concept of “treating winter diseases in summer”. People believe that eating warm foods such as mutton during Great Heat can expel the cold in the body and enhance the body’s resistance, preparing for the upcoming autumn and winter seasons.
(2) Traditional Activities
The traditional activities during Great Heat are rich and diverse and have regional characteristics. In the coastal areas of Zhejiang, there is a custom of sending “Great Heat Boat” during Great Heat. The “Great Heat Boat” is filled with various sacrificial offerings. Fishermen will hold a grand ceremony on the day of Great Heat and send the “Great Heat Boat” out to sea to pray for favorable weather, safe voyages and a good harvest of fishery. This custom reflects the coastal residents’ awe of the ocean and their strong desire for a beautiful life. In Putian and other places in Fujian, there is a traditional of eating lychees and mutton and holding a “Great Heat Celebration” ceremony during Great Heat. People will sacrifice to their ancestors and gods on this day, and then the whole family gets together and enjoys delicious food. At the same time, some entertainment activities such as Puxian Opera performances will be held, which is very lively and shows a strong local folk culture atmosphere. In addition, during Great Heat, in some places, there is also a custom of drying “dog day ginger”. People slice ginger or squeeze its juice and mix it with brown sugar, put it in a container, cover it with gauze and place it in the sun to dry. “Dog day ginger” can be used to treat colds, stomach cold and vomiting and other diseases. This is a way for people to use the sunlight during Great Heat for health preservation and reflects the close combination of traditional folk medicine and solar terms.
3. Cultural Significance of Great Heat
Great Heat contains rich and profound cultural significance. From a natural perspective, it is an important stage of the earth’s climate cycle. Although the extreme high temperature and humidity bring survival pressure to living things, they also prompt all things to continuously evolve and develop in adapting to the environment, reflecting the tenacity and toughness of life. On a cultural level, the folk activities of Great Heat reflect people’s awe of nature, love for life and concern for health. Whether it is the dietary customs such as drinking “dog day tea” and eating “grass jelly” or the traditional activities such as sending “Great Heat Boat” and drying “dog day ginger”, they all embody people’s emotional connections with family, community and nature, and demonstrate the cultural concepts and values such as unity and mutual assistance, conforming to nature, and health preservation formed during the long-term historical development of the Chinese nation. Great Heat is like a cultural bond that closely connects people with nature, history and modernity, enabling the cultural genes of the Chinese nation to be passed down and continued in the long river of history. It constantly inspires people to maintain an optimistic and positive attitude in the face of difficulties and challenges and pursue a harmonious and beautiful life.