What does "Xiaoshu" mean?
Xiaoshu marks the official start of the late summer season
Xiaoshu is the 11th solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar, and the fifth solar term of summer. It indicates the official start of the late summer season. When the sun reaches 105 degrees of the ecliptic, it is called Xiaoshu. "Shu" means heat, and Xiaoshu refers to a slight warmth. It means that the weather begins to get hot, but it has not yet reached the hottest period. This situation is common in most parts of the country. The crops across the country are in a stage of vigorous growth and require strengthened field management.
Xiaoshu is the 11th solar term in the traditional Chinese calendar, and the fifth solar term of summer. It indicates the official start of the late summer season. When the sun reaches 105 degrees of the ecliptic, it is called Xiaoshu. "Shu" means heat, and Xiaoshu refers to a slight warmth. It means that the weather begins to get hot, but it has not yet reached the hottest period. This situation is common in most parts of the country. The crops across the country are in a stage of vigorous growth and require strengthened field management.
What are the three候 (phases) of Xiaoshu?
China's ancient people divided Xiaoshu into three phases: "First phase: Warm winds arrive; second phase: Crickets stay in the eaves; third phase: Eagles begin to soar."
First phase: Warm winds arrive
It means that after Xiaoshu, there will no longer be even a bit of cool wind on the earth, and all the winds will carry a wave of heat.
Second phase: Crickets stay in the eaves
The phrase "crickets stay in the eaves" refers to that five days later, due to the heat, crickets leave the fields and go to the corners of the courtyard to avoid the heat.
Third phase: Eagles begin to soar
"The eagles begin to soar" refers to that after another five days, because the ground temperature is too high, the eagles move to the cool air above the ground to be active.
First phase: Warm winds arrive
It means that after Xiaoshu, there will no longer be even a bit of cool wind on the earth, and all the winds will carry a wave of heat.
Second phase: Crickets stay in the eaves
The phrase "crickets stay in the eaves" refers to that five days later, due to the heat, crickets leave the fields and go to the corners of the courtyard to avoid the heat.
Third phase: Eagles begin to soar
"The eagles begin to soar" refers to that after another five days, because the ground temperature is too high, the eagles move to the cool air above the ground to be active.
Xiaoshu Season Taboos
--- Xiaoshu strongly forbids blowing south winds
There is a saying: "If there is a southern wind during Xiaoshu, there will be drought during Dasha." and "If there is thunder during Xiaoshu, there will be floods during Dasha." It means that if there is a south wind during Xiaoshu, there will definitely be no rain during Dasha, and if there is thunder on the day of Xiaoshu, there will certainly be floods that break the dikes, so attention should be paid to flood and waterlogging prevention.
--- Xiaoshu forbids sitting on wooden furniture
In folk tradition, there is a saying: "In winter, do not sit on stone; in summer, do not sit on wood." After Xiaoshu, the temperature is high and humidity is great. Wooden materials left outdoors, such as chairs and benches, have absorbed a lot of moisture from rain and dew. Although they look dry on the surface, when exposed to sunlight, their temperature rises and they emit moisture. Sitting on them for a long time can lead to diseases such as hemorrhoids, rheumatism, and arthritis. Therefore, especially for the elderly, they must be careful not to sit for long periods on wooden furniture left outdoors.
--- Xiaoshu forbids cold water bathing
Cold water bathing is a favorite way for many middle-aged and young men to cool down. However, in summer, when the weather is hot, the pores and muscles of the body are open. Therefore, cold air can easily enter the body, causing damage to the body's yang energy. The symptoms that can be seen include cold hands and feet, cramps in the calves, blurred vision, and even unexplained fever. At the same time, even if taking a hot bath, one should still avoid the wind after bathing, especially for children.
--- Xiaoshu forbids drinking tea on an empty stomach
Drinking too much tea, especially on an empty stomach, can easily consume the body's yang energy. If one also likes salty food, the salty taste will draw the tea into the kidneys, consuming the lower jiao kidney yang, making one prone to diseases such as limb pain caused by stagnation, and diarrhea, impotence, and dysmenorrhea caused by deficiency in the lower jiao. Therefore, during summer, it is advisable to drink two or three cups of tea after meals. If you feel hungry, stop drinking immediately.
--- Elderly people should not exercise during the Three Hots of Summer
"The idea of 'exercising in the coldest days in winter and the hottest days in summer' is a summary of experience gained through long-term exercise by previous generations. Exercising in cold weather can increase the body's resistance to cold pathogens; exercising in hot weather can improve the body's heat tolerance, allowing the body to better adapt to the hot natural climate. However, for the elderly, emphasizing 'exercising during the Three Hots of Summer' is not very appropriate."
There is a saying: "If there is a southern wind during Xiaoshu, there will be drought during Dasha." and "If there is thunder during Xiaoshu, there will be floods during Dasha." It means that if there is a south wind during Xiaoshu, there will definitely be no rain during Dasha, and if there is thunder on the day of Xiaoshu, there will certainly be floods that break the dikes, so attention should be paid to flood and waterlogging prevention.
--- Xiaoshu forbids sitting on wooden furniture
In folk tradition, there is a saying: "In winter, do not sit on stone; in summer, do not sit on wood." After Xiaoshu, the temperature is high and humidity is great. Wooden materials left outdoors, such as chairs and benches, have absorbed a lot of moisture from rain and dew. Although they look dry on the surface, when exposed to sunlight, their temperature rises and they emit moisture. Sitting on them for a long time can lead to diseases such as hemorrhoids, rheumatism, and arthritis. Therefore, especially for the elderly, they must be careful not to sit for long periods on wooden furniture left outdoors.
--- Xiaoshu forbids cold water bathing
Cold water bathing is a favorite way for many middle-aged and young men to cool down. However, in summer, when the weather is hot, the pores and muscles of the body are open. Therefore, cold air can easily enter the body, causing damage to the body's yang energy. The symptoms that can be seen include cold hands and feet, cramps in the calves, blurred vision, and even unexplained fever. At the same time, even if taking a hot bath, one should still avoid the wind after bathing, especially for children.
--- Xiaoshu forbids drinking tea on an empty stomach
Drinking too much tea, especially on an empty stomach, can easily consume the body's yang energy. If one also likes salty food, the salty taste will draw the tea into the kidneys, consuming the lower jiao kidney yang, making one prone to diseases such as limb pain caused by stagnation, and diarrhea, impotence, and dysmenorrhea caused by deficiency in the lower jiao. Therefore, during summer, it is advisable to drink two or three cups of tea after meals. If you feel hungry, stop drinking immediately.
--- Elderly people should not exercise during the Three Hots of Summer
"The idea of 'exercising in the coldest days in winter and the hottest days in summer' is a summary of experience gained through long-term exercise by previous generations. Exercising in cold weather can increase the body's resistance to cold pathogens; exercising in hot weather can improve the body's heat tolerance, allowing the body to better adapt to the hot natural climate. However, for the elderly, emphasizing 'exercising during the Three Hots of Summer' is not very appropriate."
