China's 24 Solar Terms - Major Heat

Major Heat, the twelfth of the twenty-four solar terms, is also the last solar term of midsummer.

As the old saying goes, 'Minor Heat isn't really hot, Major Heat marks the dog days.' At this time, the sun's longitude is 120°, marking the peak of the year's high temperatures. The air is humid and scorching, cicadas never stop chirping, lotus flowers fill the ponds, and fireflies dance at night—this is summer in its most passionate and abundant form.  

During Major Heat, the three micro-seasons rotate: decayed grass turns into fireflies, the land becomes moist and hot, and heavy rain comes at times. The air feels sticky and oppressive, making the heat hard to endure. The only refuge is the lotus pond, a naturally cool sanctuary. Mornings bring dew on the lotus leaves, afternoons provide shade from the blazing sun, and evening breezes sway the flowers gently. Under this sweltering heat, lotus flowers bloom fearlessly, using their serene beauty to counter the relentless summer heat.