大暑是二十四节气的第十二个节气，今年始于7月22日。俗话说，“热在三伏”，大暑正处在三伏里的中伏阶段，中国大部分地区在这个阶段内都会迎来一年中气温最高的时期。
著名的三大火炉：南京、武汉、重庆在大暑前后炉火最旺，但比“三大火炉”更热的地方还有很多，如安庆、九江等。但是最热的“火炉”要属新疆的“火焰山”——吐鲁番。大暑前后，吐鲁番下午的气温常在40℃以上。
“禾到大暑日夜黄”，对中国种植双季稻的地区来说，结合天气的变化适时进行早稻收获、晚稻插秧是十分重要的。晴天多割，阴天多栽，在7月底前栽完双晚，最迟不迟过立秋，才能尽可能减少后期风雨造成的损失，确保丰产丰收。
大暑送“大暑船”活动在浙江台州沿海已有几百年的历史。大暑船完全按照旧时三桅帆船的比例建造，船内载有各种祭品，在大暑当日由多名渔民轮流抬着在大街上游行，进行一系列折福仪式。大暑船最终会被运送至码头，被渔船拉出渔港，在大海上点燃，再任其沉浮，以祝福人们五谷丰登，生活安康。
大暑是乡村田野蟋蟀最多的季节。自打一千余年前的唐朝（618年 - 907年）起，中国老百姓就有了在燃燃夏日中茶余饭后斗蟋蟀为乐的习俗。
饮伏茶，顾名思义，就是三伏天喝的茶。古时候，村里人在村口的凉亭里放些茶水，免费给来往路人喝，供应时间一般从农历六月初到八月末。这种由金银花、夏枯草、甘草等十多味中草药煮成的茶水，有清凉祛暑的作用。
大暑期间，台湾省有吃凤梨的习俗。这个时节的凤梨最香甜，加上凤梨的闽南语发音和“旺来”相似，所以也被用来作为祈求平安吉祥、生意兴隆的象征。在大暑当日，福建莆田人家则有吃荔枝、羊肉和米糟的习俗。
广东很多地方在大暑时节有“吃仙草”的习俗。仙草又名凉粉草、仙人草，是重要的药食两用植物资源，由于其消暑功效，被誉为“仙草”。茎叶晒干后可以做成烧仙草，广东一带叫凉粉，是一种消暑的甜品。
The traditional Chinese lunar calendar divides the year into 24 solar terms. Major heat, the 12th solar term of the year, begins on July 22 this year and ends on Aug 6.
Nanjing, Wuhan and Chongqing, cities often regarded as the "three furnaces" of China, reach their hottest during major heat. The hottest place in China is Turpan of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, often surpassing 40℃ in the afternoons during major heat.
The sunshine, high temperatures and heavy rainfall are good for crops. However, many natural calamities such as floods, droughts and typhoons also occur during major heat. It is crucial to harvest and plant in time to avoid setbacks caused by natural disasters.
Sending the major heat ship is a folk tradition spanning centuries in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. The ship, filled with sacrificial offerings, is carried and marched to the harbor by fishermen while receiving prayers and blessings from onlookers. When it reaches the sea, the ship is burned, along with prayers of good harvests and health of villagers.
Major heat is the reproduction season for crickets, and cricket fights are a popular seasonal pasttime activity for many Chinese. The custom dates back more than 1,000 years to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).
In ancient China, villagers offered tea in pavilions to passerby free of charge during major heat to help them cool down. This centuries-old custom is still preserved to this day in some parts of Wenzhou, Zhejiang province.
Pineapples, which are in season during major heat, are often consumed in Taiwan, not just for its sweet and juicy taste, but also because the term for "pineapple" in local dialect sounds very similar to "incoming prosperity".
Grass jelly, or xiancaodong, is an herbal dessert that's popular in South China.  As a popular saying in Guangdong province goes, "eat herb jelly in major heat, stay young like the immortals," the ingredients used in the dish is known for their ability to quell the summer heat. 
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