24节气大暑：这7个习俗你可能并不知道（双语）

　　The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major Heat, (Chinese: 大暑), the 12th solar term of the year, begins this year on July 23 and ends August 7.

　　中国传统的农历将一年分为24个节气，其中大暑(Major Heat)是一年中第12个节气，今年的大暑从7月23日开始，至8月7日结束。

　　During Major Heat, most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year.

　　在大暑时节，中国大多数地区都会迎来一年中最热的时候。

　　In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production. But solar term culture is still useful today to guide people’s lives through special foods, cultural ceremonies and even healthy living tips that correspond with each term.

　　在中国，24节气是数千年前指导人们农业生产的金科玉律。然而即使在现代，节气文化也依然通过与每个节气相对应的特殊食物、文化仪式、以及健康生活指南指导着人们的生活。

　　The following are 7 things you should know about Major Heat.

　　以下就是关于大暑你可能不知道的7件事。

　　A season of harvesting and planting

　　一、夏收夏种正当时

　　During Major Heat, the sunshine, high temperatures, and heavy rainfall are good for agricultural crops. But like Minor Heat, many natural calamities such as floods, droughts and typhoons also happen during Major Heat. Therefore, it’s important to harvest and plant in time to avoid setbacks caused by natural disasters.

　　大暑时节，阳光、高温和大量降雨都对农作物的生长有好处。但是就像小暑一样，大暑时节也会发生诸如洪涝、干旱、台风等多种自然灾害。因此，大暑时节及时做好夏收夏种工作、避免自然灾害造成损失就很重要了。

　　Sending the Major Heat ship

　　二、送大暑船

　　Sending the Major Heat ship is a folk tradition spanning hundreds of years in Taizhou, Zhejiang province.

　　送大暑船是浙江台州几百年来的民间传统。

　　The ship is filled with various animals for sacrifice such as pigs, sheep, chicken, fish, and shrimps. More than 50 fishermen take turns carrying the ship as they march through the streets. Drums are played and fireworks are lit. Both sides of the street are filled with people praying for blessings.

　　大暑船上满载着各种各样的动物做祭品，包括猪、羊、鸡、鱼和虾等等。50多名渔民轮流扛着船穿过街道，同时还要敲锣打鼓、燃放烟花爆竹。此时，街道两旁往往挤满了祈福的人群。

　　After a series of ceremonies, the ship is finally carried to the wharf. Then, the ship is pulled out of the fishing port and burned at sea. People carry out this ritual to pray for good harvests and health.

　　在一系列仪式过后，大暑船最终会被送到码头。然后，大暑船会被拖出渔港，在海里烧掉。人们进行这种仪式是为祈求丰收和健康。

　　Cricket fighting

　　三、斗蟋蟀

　　Major Heat is a season with the largest number of crickets that can be found in the fields along the countryside. Cricket fighting is a popular pastime for some people in China during this period. The custom dates back more than 1,000 years to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).

　　大暑时节，人们能在乡村田间找到最多的蟋蟀。在这个时候，斗蟋蟀就是许多中国人消遣时光的最好娱乐。斗蟋蟀的习俗可以追溯到1000多年前的唐朝(618-907年)。

　　Eating litchi and mizao

　　四、吃荔枝和米糟

　　On the day of Major Heat, there is a custom of eating litchi, Mizao in Putian, Fujian province, as a celebration of Major Heat.

　　为庆贺大暑，福建莆田地区有在大暑这一天吃荔枝和米糟的习俗。

　　Litchi is a nutritious fruit containing glucose and vitamins. People usually soak litchi in cold well water first and eat it. It is said that litchi during Major Heat is as nourishing as ginseng.

　　荔枝营养丰富，富含葡萄糖和维生素。人们首先会把荔枝放到冰冷的井水中，放凉之后再吃。而中国也有一句谚语称“大暑吃荔枝，滋补赛人参”。

　　Mizao is made of fermented rice. On the day of Major Heat, people cook them with brown sugar. It can reinforce the vital energy of the human body.

　　米糟由发酵的大米制成。在大暑这一天，人们会将米糟和红糖一起烹煮，据称这种食物可以固本培元。

　　Drinking mutton soup

　　五、喝羊肉汤

　　There is a custom in southern Shandong province where people drink mutton soup on the day of Major Heat. Many people go to local restaurants to drink mutton soup, which is called "summer mutton soup."

　　山东地区有在大暑时节喝羊汤的习俗。这个时候，人们往往回到当地的餐馆喝羊肉汤，也被称之为“夏季羊肉汤”。

　　Eating pineapples

　　六、吃凤梨

　　There is a saying in Taiwan which goes, "eating pineapples in Major Heat." During the period of Major Heat, pineapple tastes best.

　　台湾有一句谚语叫“大暑吃凤梨”。大暑时节，凤梨的味道是最好的。

　　Eating grass jelly

　　七、烧仙草

　　Grass jelly, "Xiancaodong" in Chinese, is made with a special grass whose stems and leaves can be made into herb jelly after being dried in the sun.

　　“仙草冻”由一种特殊的草制成，这种草的茎叶晒干之后就能制成烧仙草了。

　　With the amazing ability to quell the summer heat, grass jelly is described in a popular saying in Guangdong province that goes, "eating herb jelly in Major Heat will make you stay young like the immortals."

　　烧仙草具有惊人的消暑能力，广东就有一句流传颇广的谚语称“六月大暑吃仙草，活如神仙不会老”。

　　The herb jelly looks and tastes like another jelly-like Guilinggao, or called Turtle Jelly, but without the bitter taste!

　　烧仙草看起来和吃起来都很像龟苓膏，但却没有那种苦味。