1. Climate & Natural Phenomena
Chushu (End of Heat) is the 14th solar term, occurring around August 23 to 24. The Chinese character Chu (处) means to stop, hide, or terminate. Therefore, Chushu literally represents the “stopping of summer heat.” High temperatures drop significantly, skies become deep blue and clear, and humidity gives way to crisp autumn air.
Ancient Chinese phenology divided End of Heat into three distinctive micro-seasons (Penthads / 三候):
鹰乃祭鸟 Hawks actively hunt small birds and display them as a seasonal offering to autumn.
天地始肃 The warmth of summer withdraws, and nature begins to show serene, solemn autumn colors.
禾乃登 Millet, sorghum, and autumn cereal grains reach maturity across northern plains.
2. Lifestyle, Diet & Customs
As the lingering “Autumn Tiger” heat finally fades, customs celebrate maritime harvests and focus on preventing autumn lethargy.
🍵 Diet & Health
Dietary advice during Chushu emphasizes neutralizing autumn dryness (Qiuzao / 秋燥) with nourishing, sweet, and fluid-generating foods:
- Eating Duck Meat (吃处暑鸭): Duck is considered sweet and cool in nature, making it the perfect roast or stewed dish to dispel leftover summer heat.
- Longan and Lotus Seed Soup: Enjoyed widely to nourish the blood, calm the mind, and ensure restful autumn sleep.
- Fresh Citrus & Pears: Rich in natural fluids and vitamins to protect the respiratory tract.
🏮 Folk Traditions
In coastal provinces along the East China Sea, Chushu marks the grand “Fishing Season Opening Festival” (开渔节). After months of summer fishing bans to protect marine life, thousands of fishing boats set sail simultaneously into the sea, accompanied by drums and blessings for a bountiful ocean harvest.
📜 Classic Poetry
Poets celebrated Chushu as the most comfortable time of year, when heatwave exhaustion vanishes:
《早秋山中作》 — 王维 (Tang Dynasty)
无才敢累明时，思向东溪守故陂。
不觉初秋凉夜永，清溪新月照茅茨。
(Unfit to serve in prosperous times, I retire to guard my old stream pond. Unaware how long and cool early autumn nights have grown, I watch the crescent moon shine over my thatched roof and tranquil stream.)
3. Agricultural Wisdom
In rural farming communities, an old proverb states: “During Chushu, every plant hangs heavy with golden seed (处暑满地黄，家家修廪仓).”
This is a time of joy and diligence. Farmers inspect granaries, harvest ripe cotton and corn, and prepare the fields for sowing winter wheat.