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End of Heat
Summer clouds disperse, and a new coolness begins.
Solar term date
Dates follow the Hong Kong Observatory’s calendar. They are civil dates, rather than precise astronomical times.
About this solar term
End of Heat begins at solar longitude 150°. Its name looks toward the easing of summer heat, though hot spells may persist.
Traditional signs describe hawks with their prey, a quieter landscape and ripening grain.
In many regions, harvesting and preparation for autumn become more prominent. Seasonal fruit and local foods reflect this transition. The timing of cooler weather remains a matter of local climate.
Seasonal signs
Hawks lay out their prey, the world grows quieter, and grain ripens.
Traditional seasonal signs combine observation with historical imagination. Weather and wildlife vary by region and year.
A reading of the poem
Hawks display their prey as autumn's season of gathering deepens. Falling leaves startle the empty air; the high sky seems remote. Grain ripens, the wind stills, and insects sing in the grass. Slowly pour a cup of wine and gently tune the qin resting on your knees.
Tang dynasty · Traditionally attributed to Yuan Zhen
咏廿四气诗·处暑七月中
Poem source