Greater Heat is the twelfth of the twenty-four solar terms, typically occurring between July 22nd and 24th each year. It signifies the peak of summer heat and highest temperatures across much of China. Agriculturally, this period brings intense sunshine and frequent rainfall, creating critical conditions for crop growth, particularly for rice and cotton. Farmers focus on irrigation, pest control, and protecting crops from heat stress, while also preparing for early autumn harvests. The term Da Shu itself translates to "Greater Heat," vividly reflecting the season’s climatic intensity.

Historically, Greater Heat was marked by rituals aimed at appeasing the scorching weather and ensuring health. Communities offered sacrifices to deities for rain and cooler winds, while people practiced "fighting heat with heat" by consuming mutton soup, ginger tea, and lychees to dispel dampness and boost vitality. Other customs included drinking cooling herbal teas, making ice offerings in ancestral ceremonies, and eating "xiancao" to detoxify. Folk traditions like "sending the summer Heat" involved floating lanterns on rivers to ward off misfortune, symbolizing resilience and reverence for nature’s extremes.

Today, Greater Heat remains a cultural reference point for understanding seasonal rhythms and health practices. While modern life mitigates heat impacts, traditions like consuming seasonal foods (mint tea, lotus root, and winter melon) persist, emphasizing natural wellness. Communities in regions like Fujian still celebrate with lychee feasts and folk festivals. Symbolically, Greater Heat underscores humanity’s adaptation to nature’s cycles, promoting sustainable living and the wisdom of balancing activity with restorative rest. As intangible heritage, it fosters appreciation for harmony with the environment amid climate challenges.

(By Wang Heran/Wang Wenchao)