Chinanews.com client Beijing, July 16 (Reporter Shangguan Yun) "Small heat is not hot, big heat is three days." The influx of this year is July 16. It is worth noting that in 2020, "three volts" will last up to 40 days, of which "medium" is 20 days.

  Why is it the hottest time of the year? How often do you see "extended version" in the dog days? Why do you eat dumplings... These questions are often curious. The reporter interviewed folk experts and learned that the people not only have the saying that “the dumplings are on the top and the eggs on the pancakes are on the top”. At this time, they also pay attention to drinking winter melon and mutton soup, according to the solar terms to recuperate the body.

Data Map: On July 17, 2019, the people were chilling and relaxing in the Naliang Point of the North Slope of Fuzhou Wushan Air Shelter. After entering the three days, Fuzhou is hot and scorching, and the air-raid shelter on the northern slope of Wushan Mountain in Fuzhou attracts many people to come and seek coolness. Photo by Zhang Bin

Is it the hottest time of the year?

  San Fu Tian is also called "San Fu" or "Fu Tian'er", which is the hottest and humid and hot day of the year.

  The reason is that it is said that the surface humidity becomes higher after undulation, and the daily heat absorption is greater than the heat dissipation. The high humidity in summer is also the reason for the sultry weather. At this time, we must pay more attention to the flood season.

  "Hanshu·Jiasi Zhizhu" said: "Fu who said that Yin Qi will rise, forced by the residual sun and did not get promoted. Therefore, it is Tibetan Fu, because the name Fu Fu."

  In addition, ancient medicine believed that summer evil belongs to one of the "six evils" (that is, "wind, cold, summer, dampness, dryness, and fire"). "Fu" means "Fu Xie", which also means "Fu" Don't move.

  The relationship between San Fu Tian and solar terms is also relatively close. Folklore expert Xiao Fang mentioned that during the three days, it is common to see Chinese medicine hospitals carrying out activities to "treat winter diseases and summer diseases". This is actually a way to adjust the body according to solar terms.

Why is there an "extended version" in the dog days?

  In terms of time, San Fu days are mainly in July and August of the Gregorian calendar. Careful observation can find that the length of the three-volt days is not fixed, sometimes 40 days, sometimes 30 days. This is related to its calculation method and other factors.

Data Map: On July 7, 2016, Fuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital carried out the "three-volt moxibustion" treatment of winter disease before summer, attracting many citizens to come for treatment. The picture shows a patient receiving moxibustion. Photo by Liu Kegeng

  According to experts, the time of ambush is not fixed every year, and the length of mid-voltage is even different. There is also a saying in the folks that "the summer solstice San Geng is on the head".

  In ancient China, the "Dianzhiji Day Method" was popular. It used 60 different names made up of 10 Tiangan and 12 earth branches to remember the days. Every day with the Geng character is called Geng Day.

  According to the order of the dry branch days, the third Geng day from the summer solstice is the first volt, and the first Geng day after the autumn is the last volt. The appearance of Gengri will affect the length of mid-morning in the morning and evening. Generally, the initial volt is 10 days, the mid-volt is 10 or 20 days, and the last volt is 10 days.

Why do you want to eat dumplings?

  "Eating" is the top priority in life. There is a popular slang in the north, "Tou Fu Dumplings, 2 Fu Noodles, and 3 Fu Pancake Stand Eggs", as soon as there is a meaning of tasting after the wheat is harvested, and second, to remind people that the summer diet should not be ambiguous.

Data picture: The picture shows the finished hand-made dumplings. Photo by Wang Haoyang

  In summer, people are prone to loss of appetite, and dumplings are just appetizing food in traditional customs. There is also a saying that the dumplings are shaped like ingots, and they also mean "Yuan Bao Zang Fu". Eating dumplings is a symbol of happiness.

  The habit of eating noodles on a long day has a long history. "Wei's Spring and Autumn" records that He Yan "fu eclipse soup cake, take a towel to wipe sweat, and look bright", here "soup cake" is hot soup noodles. Milled with new wheat flour to cook soup, nutritious and sweating.

  "San Fu pancake stall eggs", the weather tends to be slightly cooler at the end, and the pancakes don't feel too hot. Then cook a pot of mung bean porridge, spread a few eggs and eat with pancakes, it is also delicious.

What are the three-volt customs?

  Flapjacks and dumplings are not bad. Every three days, people are always trying to avoid the heat, and gradually form a unique food culture. For example, the summer diet in the Northern Song Dynasty was "daylight green lotus buns." Buns wrapped in lotus leaves are said to have the effect of clearing heat.

Data Map: People splash water in the "three days" for good luck. Photo by Tuobo

  In Yangzhou, there is a saying that "into the summer three volts, one volt for a pair of broilers", refers to a traditional way of feeding after budding, which is to eat broilers, generally steamed, which has the effect of warming the spleen and nourishing qi and blood.

  "As far as old Beijing is concerned, the hotter it used to be, the more winter melon and mutton soup was to drink while it was hot. One of the benefits is to sweat more, so as to expel the "wet poison" in the body in time." Old Beijing native Zhao Xingli said.

  When the climate is hot, outdoor activities should be moderate. In addition to eating, enjoying lotus flowers along the lake is also a cool fun. In the middle of summer, when the lotus flowers are in full bloom, people often pick a suitable weather to go out and enjoy the lotus flowers.

  All in all, summer is a time of high yang. For the average person, it is necessary to adapt to the seasons and seasonal changes, adjust the rest time, and spend the summer safely. (Finish)