Traditional culture in plain words
Lesser Heat (小暑)
Lesser Heat marks the start of high summer. The weather turns hot, but the hottest days of the year are still to come.
At a glance
What the solar terms mean
Lesser Heat falls around 7 July each year — on 7 July in 2026 and 2027, and on 6 July in 2028. The summer heat builds, thunderstorms come more often, and crops grow strongly in the fields.
Traditionally, this is a time to take care against heat and damp. Meals are kept light, and daily life follows the long days and short nights of summer. Elders often say 'a calm heart keeps you cool' (心靜自然涼), a gentle reminder to pass the long summer with a peaceful mind.
Traditional customs in different places
Many families keep the custom of 'tasting the new' (食新): when the new rice is harvested, a pot of fresh rice is cooked, offered to the ancestors, and then shared with the family in thanks for the year's harvest. In southern China and Taiwan, some people also enjoy lotus root around this time, or cook a bowl of mung bean soup for the hot summer days.
Solar terms belong to the traditional calendar and are shared for cultural reference. For weather, please follow the forecast from your local weather service.