大暑 Dàshǔ
Major Heat
In 2026: 23 July 2026 to 7 August 2026 (Beijing time)
“Major heat”: the hottest, most humid weeks of the year. Tradition counsels a calm heart, light food and early practice.
- Sun’s longitude
- 120°
- Month (earthly branch)
- 未month
- Season
- Summer
- Five Phase
- 火Fire
The three pentads
Each term is divided into three five-day pentads, named for what the ancients saw happen in nature.
- First pentad腐草为萤Fireflies rise from rotting grass
- Second pentad土润溽暑The soil is damp, the heat humid
- Third pentad大雨时行Heavy rains come often
Wudang yangsheng for this term
- Breath
- Slow, even breathing; let each out-breath loosen the chest.
- Warm tea and diet
- Light congee and clear soups; little that is spicy, rich or very cold.
- Sleep and daily rhythm
- Practise early; keep the hottest hours for rest and reading.
Traditional guidance, not medical advice. The terms follow the seasons of central China.
In the Book of Changes
Each month has a sovereign hexagram (消息卦) that shows how far yin or yang has grown. For the 未 month it is 遁, Retreat.