Soseo (소서, 小暑), literally the Day of Minor or Lesser Heat, falls on Thursday, July 7, this year, and marks the true beginning of summer.

According to the traditional calendar, Soseo marks the beginning of the 11th of 24 solar terms. By the modern calendar, the 11th term of the year usually runs from about July 7 until about July 22 or 23. Soseo always falls between the Summer Solstice, Haji (하지, 夏至), and the Day of Great Heat (대서, 大暑), when the summer's really in full swing.




Soseo generally marks the beginning of the oppressive summer heat. The days following are marked by a high degree of humidity and a great deal of rain, due to seasonal rain clouds that traverse the Korean Peninsula from the Pacific Ocean toward the Asian landmass.

Rice that was transplanted from seedbeds 20 or so days ago, around the Summer Solstice, usually start to grow roots around Soseo. The first weeding takes place on this day, too, and the weeded grass is then used as compost.

At the same time, farmers who harvest two crops per year now sow soybeans, millet or red beans in the fields where the winter barley had grown. Many fruits and vegetables begin to appear at this time, and the first harvests of barley and wheat can be collected and used to produce food.




For the modern citizen, however, Soseo simply marks the beginning of real summer. Seoul City opens the swimming pools along the Hangang River. Cicadas call out from the trees. Fresh cucumbers, chilled in clean mountain streams, are dipped in soybean paste for a mid-summer snack. Watermelons are brought to every family gathering, and the sun sets late at around 8 p.m.

This Thursday marks Soseo, the beginning of summer, so get ready for hot weather, heavy rain and the great outdoors.

This article was made possible through cooperation with the National Folk Museum of Korea and its Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture.

By Gregory C. Eaves
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Encyclopedia of Korean Seasonal Customs
gceaves@korea.kr