The traditional Chinese calendar divides（划分）the year into 24 solar terms. In China, the 24 solar terms were created thousands of years ago to guide agricultural production（农业生产）. But solar term culture is still useful today to guide people’s lives through cultural activities and special foods that go with each term.

Great Heat, the 12th solar term of the year, begins this year on July 23 and ends on August 7. During Great Heat, most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year. Here is something you should know about Great Heat.

Great Heat is a season of harvesting（收获）. During this time, the sunshine, high temperatures and heavy rainfalls are good for the plants. But many natural disasters（灾害）also happen. So, it’s important to harvest and plant in time.

Sending the Great Heat ship is a tradition in Taizhou. The ship is full of all kinds of meat. More than 50 fishermen take turns carrying the ship as they walk through the streets. The ship will finally be pulled out of the port and burned at sea. People believe that is a symbol of good harvests and health.

Great Heat is a season with most crickets（蚌）in the countryside. Cricket fighting is a popular game for some people in China during this period. The custom（习俗）dates back over 1,000 years ago.

People in different places enjoy different foods. For example, in the southern Shandong, people would like to drink mutton soup. Grass jelly is very popular in Guangdong because there is a saying “Eating grass jelly in Great Heat will make you stay young.”