The Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou is a comprehensive cultural venue built to commemorate Tang Xianzu, one of the world’s hundred great cultural figures and a master of Ming‑dynasty drama in China. It is also one of Jiangxi Province’s ten major memorial halls dedicated to historical luminaries.

The Twenty-Four Solar Terms at the Soup House | Minor Heat

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2023-07-07

small Summer season /SLIGHT HEAT

Every year, from July 6 to 8, when the Sun reaches a celestial longitude of 105°, the solar term “Xiaoshu” (Minor Heat) arrives. Xiaoshu is the eleventh of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms. According to the “Collection of Explanations for the Seventy-Two Hou of the Monthly Ordinances,” “Xiaoshu falls in the sixth month; ‘shu’ means heat, and within this heat we distinguish between ‘small’ and ‘great.’ At the beginning of the month, the heat is still mild, but now it remains relatively slight.” With the onset of Xiaoshu, the “Plum Rain” season in the Jianghuai region draws to a close—marking the end of the plum rains. Meanwhile, on July 11, the first period of the Dog Days begins, heralding the height of summer’s intense heat.

The ancients said, “Of all the world’s fine times, beautiful sights, delightful pleasures, and joyous occasions, it is rare that they all come together.” Yet what could be so hard about “Minor Heat”? In a flash, the warm breeze arrives, and the auspicious hour gathers, carried on the fleeting light. The courtyard is filled with the fresh fragrance of lotus blossoms, while the beauty of the scene unfolds freely beyond the window. Venture into the mountains to banish the sweltering heat, and let the soul‑soothing song of the cicadas bring delight. When the heart is at peace, coolness comes naturally; and the greatest joy lies in half a day of tranquil leisure.

The Three Hou of Minor Heat

First period: Warm winds arrive.

Warm breezes are, in fact, the steaming heat of summer, unable to stir even the tiniest leaf on the trees. The ancients believed that the growth of spring and the flourishing of summer both owe their vitality to the gentle warmth of the wind. During the period of Minor Heat, heaven’s benevolence reaches its peak, and the weather’s sweltering warmth attains its zenith. The season has already entered the hottest phase of the year, and every breeze carries with it waves of scorching heat.

The second hou: crickets dwell in the walls.
Because of the heat, crickets have left the fields and taken refuge under the eaves at the corners of courtyards to escape the summer swelter. “In July they are in the wild; in August, under the roof; in September, by the door; by October, the crickets have crept beneath my bed.” August corresponds to the minor‑heat solar term in the ancient lunar calendar.

The third hou: the hawk begins to strike.

Eagles soar in the cool high altitudes because the ground‑level heat is too intense. As the saying goes, “Summer training begins during the dog days,” and the period around Minor Heat is an ideal time to learn to fly; eagles take their young on “real‑world” hunting drills.

Xiaoshu Customs

During the Minor Heat season, the heat is relentless, yet cool respite can be found everywhere. Savoring plums and melons, sipping chilled tea with icy lotus roots, basking in the fragrant breeze of lotus leaves, seeking fireflies among bamboo groves, gazing at the moon from a riverside pavilion, feeling the wind on the verdant mountains—resting with a book by your pillow or sitting cross-legged on the ground, moving at a gentle, unhurried pace, free from fuss and restlessness: only by embracing the Minor Heat in this way can one truly reveal wisdom.

Eat dumplings during the first dog days of summer.

During the Xiaoshu solar term, we welcome the first period of dog days. As the saying goes, “Dumplings in the first dog day, noodles in the second, and pancakes with fried eggs in the third.” On the very first day of the dog days, it is customary in northern China to eat dumplings, as their shape resembles ingots, symbolizing the wish for wealth and good fortune.

Eat lotus root

It is a longstanding folk tradition to eat lotus root during the “Small Heat” solar term. Lotus root is rich in carbohydrates, as well as abundant calcium, phosphorus, iron, and various vitamins, and it contains significant amounts of potassium and dietary fiber. It helps clear heat, nourish the blood, and relieve irritability, making it an ideal food for summer. Fresh lotus root can be gently simmered over low heat until tender; once sliced, it can be mixed with an appropriate amount of honey and enjoyed at will, offering calming and sleep‑promoting benefits.

Eat yellow eel

As the saying goes: “During Xiaoshu, yellow eel is as nourishing as ginseng.” Yellow eels thrive in muddy banks and water’s edge, and those caught during the month surrounding Xiaoshu are considered especially rich in nutrients and delicious. With a warm nature and sweet flavor, yellow eel helps tonify the middle jiao and replenish qi, strengthen the liver and spleen, dispel wind-dampness, and fortify the muscles and bones.

“Eat New”

“Shi Xin” refers to tasting the new rice after the solar term of Minor Heat. After threshing the freshly harvested rice and milling it into grain, farmers prepare a meal to offer to the Five Grains Deity and their ancestors, expressing gratitude to nature and their forebears, before everyone partakes of the new rice.

Drying calligraphy and paintings, clothes

During the Xiaoshu solar term, it is customary in folk tradition to air out calligraphy and paintings, as well as clothing. As a popular saying goes: “On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, people dry their clothes, and dragons dry their robes”; “On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, every household dries its red and green garments” (except in leap years). “Red and green” refers to all kinds of colorful clothes; when the weather is fine, families invariably choose this very day—the sixth day of the sixth lunar month—to “dry the summer’s stored items,” laying out their wardrobes’ contents to bask in the sun, thereby eliminating dampness, preventing mold, and warding off pests. Moreover, the sixth day of the sixth lunar month was once the traditional day for scholars to air their books. On such a sunny day, literati would display their volumes to the sun, allowing the pages to soak up light and drive away bookworms.

03
Summer Solstice Health Preservation

During the Minor Heat solar term, most of China enters the sweltering peak of summer, with scorching heat both above and below. As the saying goes, “Ten thousand tiles gleam like a fiery dragon, and though the sun‑driven carriage stands still, beads of sweat melt away.” At this time, it’s wise to seek cool relief, but beware of overindulging in coldness, which can harm your health; aim for restful sleep to prevent exhaustion and heart‑lung strain; and cultivate inner calm—move at a steady pace, avoid anger and restlessness, and guard against “emotional heatstroke.”

Cultivate the mind with a calm and tranquil heart.

During the Minor Heat period, the weather is sweltering, making people prone to irritability, drowsiness, and a lack of vitality. Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that calming the mind and settling the spirit can ease tension, promote a sense of well-being, and harmonize the flow of qi and blood. This not only supports robust cardiac function but also aligns with the principle of “nurturing yang in spring and summer.”

A light and moderate diet is advisable.

During the Xiaoshu solar term, frequent rains and high temperatures can lead to a surge in gastrointestinal ailments. Therefore, during this period, it’s important to maintain food hygiene, avoid overeating, and opt for light, nutrient‑rich meals.

Be prepared for the heat when going out.

During the Minor Heat period, heatstroke is common, so it’s important to take precautions against the heat. When going out, be sure to bring a parasol, a sun hat, and other protective gear, drink plenty of water, and try to avoid outdoor activities during the scorching midday hours.

Be cautious when seeking relief from the heat by taking cold showers.

When the weather is hot, people often enjoy ice cream and frozen desserts, drink chilled beverages, and even take cold showers. All of these can easily lead to physical discomfort or create hidden health risks.

Event Information | The sixth session of the “Young Docent Summer Cultural Workshop” is about to begin!

July 1st, Party Founding Day | Stay True to Our Original Aspiration and Keep Our Mission Firmly in Mind

Event Information | The sixth session of the “Young Docent Summer Cultural Workshop” is about to begin!

July 1st, Party Founding Day | Stay True to Our Original Aspiration and Keep Our Mission Firmly in Mind

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