Summer Solstice, the 10th Solar Term of the year, begins on June 21 and ends on July 6 this year. At this time, much of the northern hemisphere receives the most hours of daylight.
The Chinese proverb suggests the days after Summer Solstice as the "three periods of waiting" - waiting for the deer antlers to fall off, waiting for the cicada to sing, and waiting for pinellia ternate to grow. Most regions in China would enjoy high temperatures, sufficient sunshine and rain that supports quick growth of not only crops and fruits, but also weeds, viruses and insects. Therefore, it is a busy season for farmers.
At the Summer Solstice, Cantonese people like to cook all kinds of soup and porridge, such as pork ribs soup and millet congee, as well as herbal tea. According to Rao Yuansheng, a famous Cantonese cultural scholar, people would eat lychees during the Summer Solstice to dispel heat and refresh their bodies.
In ancient times, women would give each other folding fans and rouge during Summer Solstice, to dispel heat and prevent heat rash.
Co-presented by Nanfang Daily, Nanfang plus and GDToday
