The day of Daeseo, what is traditionally the hottest day of summer -- literally the "Big Heat of Summer" (대서, 大暑) -- falls on Friday, July 22, this year. It marks the beginning of the 12th of 24 solar terms throughout the year. Daeseo is always in the sixth lunar month and usually falls around the end of July.
Daeseo follows after Soseo (소서, 小暑), which was literally the "Day of Minor or Lesser Heat" on July 7 earlier this year, and precedes Ipchu, or the "Beginning of Fall" (입추, 立秋), which will be on Aug. 17 this year.
The solar term that begins with Daeseo marks the hottest period of the year and follows the end of the rainy season, prompting the old saying that, “Even goat horns melt on Daeseo.”
Three of the year's 24 solar terms
Soseo (소서, 小暑), the "Day of Minor or Lesser Heat", July 7
Daeseo (대서, 大暑), the "Big Heat of Summer", July 22
Ipchun (입추, 立秋), the traditional beginning of fall, Aug. 7
The hottest days of the year
Chobok (초복, 初伏), a 10-day period, starting July 17
Jungbok (중복, 中伏), a 20-day period, starting July 27
Malbok (말복, 末伏), a 10-day period, starting Aug. 16
The day sometimes overlaps with Jungbok (중복, 中伏), the second of the three hottest days of the year, but not this year. On both Daeseo (July 22, 2016) and Jungbok (July 27, 2016), people prepare special foods and drinks, and escape from the heat to nearby mountain valleys and streams. Or they just head down to the Hangang River.
When the monsoon season continues late, Daeseo can bring heavy rainfall.
Around Daeseo, farmers weed and prepare compost. Juicy summer fruits, such as watermelons, melons and vegetables that ripen in this period, are considered to taste better than at any other time of the year. Wheat and barley are also ready to be harvested early around Daeseo.
In Seoul, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) is predicting highs of 31 degrees Celsius and rain in the evening on Friday, July 22, this year. Be sure to get some watermelons, head to the mountains, and keep cool this Daeseo.
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: National Folk Museum of Korea, Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture
gceaves@korea.kr
Daeseo follows after Soseo (소서, 小暑), which was literally the "Day of Minor or Lesser Heat" on July 7 earlier this year, and precedes Ipchu, or the "Beginning of Fall" (입추, 立秋), which will be on Aug. 17 this year.
The day of Daeseo (대서, 大暑) marks the peak of summer and can bring high temperatures and heavy rain.
The solar term that begins with Daeseo marks the hottest period of the year and follows the end of the rainy season, prompting the old saying that, “Even goat horns melt on Daeseo.”
Three of the year's 24 solar terms
Soseo (소서, 小暑), the "Day of Minor or Lesser Heat", July 7
Daeseo (대서, 大暑), the "Big Heat of Summer", July 22
Ipchun (입추, 立秋), the traditional beginning of fall, Aug. 7
The hottest days of the year
Chobok (초복, 初伏), a 10-day period, starting July 17
Jungbok (중복, 中伏), a 20-day period, starting July 27
Malbok (말복, 末伏), a 10-day period, starting Aug. 16
The day sometimes overlaps with Jungbok (중복, 中伏), the second of the three hottest days of the year, but not this year. On both Daeseo (July 22, 2016) and Jungbok (July 27, 2016), people prepare special foods and drinks, and escape from the heat to nearby mountain valleys and streams. Or they just head down to the Hangang River.
On July 24, 1970, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper warns people to be safe during the upcoming monsoon season.
When the monsoon season continues late, Daeseo can bring heavy rainfall.
Around Daeseo, farmers weed and prepare compost. Juicy summer fruits, such as watermelons, melons and vegetables that ripen in this period, are considered to taste better than at any other time of the year. Wheat and barley are also ready to be harvested early around Daeseo.
In Seoul, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) is predicting highs of 31 degrees Celsius and rain in the evening on Friday, July 22, this year. Be sure to get some watermelons, head to the mountains, and keep cool this Daeseo.
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: National Folk Museum of Korea, Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture
gceaves@korea.kr