Major Heat (Dashu), the 12th solar term on the traditional Chinese calendar, falls on July 23 this year, marking the hottest, most humid days in China.

Ancient Chinese divided Major Heat into three pentads: fireflies emerge from rotten grass, the earth turns damp and sweltering, and sudden downpours arrive to offer respite.

Tang Dynasty poet Yuan Zhen wrote, "The round moon rises at midnight and fireflies fly in the air." People lean on bamboo lounges to cool off, cicadas chirp in thickets, fireflies drift across the night sky, and evening breezes carry the scent of lotus.

All creatures wait for the evening breeze to chase away the heat. Peace of mind brings its own coolness.