Xiaoshu is the June Festival, which is characterized by heat. Heat can be divided into different sizes, with the beginning of the month being small and the middle being large. As the heat deepens, one becomes anxious and thirsty. The scorching heat (r ù) is just the heat, and the scorching heat is the evaporation of moisture. Therefore, the scorching heat is also steaming, and the scorching scenery permeates the sky. The scorching light breaks the ground, and the heat is unbearable. But when the dampness rises, the dew rises and becomes sweet, and the clouds gather and celebrate, so the morning on a hot day is the most beautiful. In the afternoon, the scorching qi condenses into clouds and mountains, calling out for wind and rain. After the rain hits the whip, the forest tops are full of red clouds. The summer sunset, starry sky, and sleepless nights with insect chirping are all the most beautiful.

During the Xiaoshu solar term, it is three minutes hotter every day. The period from Xiaoshu to the beginning of autumn is called "Fuxia", which is the highest temperature of the year. There are folk sayings such as "Xiaoshu followed by Dashu, so hot that there is no place to hide" and "Xiaoshu and Dashu, steamed on top and cooked on bottom".

What are the customs of Xiaoshu?

1. Sun drying red and green

There is a folk saying that goes, "On the sixth day of the sixth month, people sun their clothes and dragons sun their robes.". There is also a saying in old Nanjing that on June 6th, every household sun shines red and green (referring to various colorful clothes). That is to say, exposing clothes, calligraphy, and painting to the scorching sun during the summer heat can prevent moisture, mold, and damage, and eliminate the smell of mold, which is known as "sun drying" or "sun drying mold.".

2. Eating lotus roots

According to legend, the custom of eating lotus roots in the summer has a long history in folk culture. Fresh lotus roots from June and July taste moist and refreshing, crispy and sweet, and are also a great summer snack. Lotus root contains a lot of dietary fiber, multiple vitamins, and abundant elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, as well as a large amount of carbohydrates, which have the effects of clearing heat, nourishing blood, and removing troubles.

3. Fumian

During the summer solstice, people have poor appetite and mental fatigue, but dumplings are a delicious appetizer and appetizer in traditional food. At this time, people usually eat noodles made from freshly ground white flour or make dumplings with freshly ground flour.

4. Shixin

In the past, there was a folk custom of "eating new rice" during the Xiaoshu season, which means that after the Xiaoshu, farmers would taste new rice, prepare rice with it, worship the Five Grains God and ancestors, pray for a bountiful harvest in autumn, and then everyone would taste new wine. It is said that "eating new" is "eating spicy", which is the first spicy day after the Xiaoshu Festival.

5. Fuyang

"Eating Fuyang" is a traditional custom in the southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu regions during the small summer season. In the Book of Han, it is recorded that "for a long time, on the scorching day, an edict was issued to bestow flesh upon officials.". This custom can be traced back to the Yao and Shun dynasties, and there is a folk saying that "a bowl of soup for the sheep does not require a divine doctor to prescribe medicine.".

The above is an introduction to the characteristics and customs of the Xiaoshu solar term in various parts of China. Xiaoshu solar term represents the official start of the summer season, and the weather is very hot. Everyone should pay attention to avoiding the heat.