Daeseo (大暑) Meaning and Customs — The 12th of the 24 Solar Terms, Around July 22–24
Daeseo (大暑) is the 12th of the 24 solar terms, entering around July 22–24 when the sun reaches 120° celestial longitude.
At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 大暑 |
| Season | ☀️ Summer |
| Gregorian timing | Around July 22–24 |
| Solar longitude | 120° |
| Saju monthly command | Mid-qi (中氣) — the middle of the month |
| Key terms | Great heat, sambok |
Meaning and Origins
Daeseo means “great (大) heat (暑),” and it is the solar term that marks the hottest part of the year. It overlaps with the period around Jungbok, and the heat is intense enough to inspire the saying that even a goat’s horn would melt.
Customs and Foods
This is the height of bokdalim customs for enduring the sambok heat. People restored their strength with foods such as samgyetang and red bean porridge, and it is also when Korean melons and watermelons are at their best.
Saju and Solar Terms
Daeseo is a mid-qi (中氣), marking the middle of the lunar month. In myeongli, the boundary of the month pillar (月柱) is based on the 12 nodes (節), while the mid-qi is read as the time when that month’s energy becomes most concentrated.
Wisdom for This Season
At the hottest time of year, simply enduring can be work in itself. Put condition management before performance.
Learn More
- View all 24 solar terms: 24절기 사전
- Today’s daily stem-branch, horoscope, and tarot: 오늘의 우주 (oiyo.net)
- A saju calendar shaped by solar terms: 사주 대사전
Solar terms are a seasonal calendar that divides the sun’s path into 24 parts. This is a traditional explanation based on the climate of the Korean Peninsula, and the actual date may vary by about a day each year.
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