While the gloomy days of the plum season are phasing out, locals in Jiangsu are preparing for the hottest part of summer. Starting on July 13 this year, "fu" days (known as "dog days") will bring in sweltering heat waves.

In Mandarin, "fu" means the hibernation of yin energy (cold air) forced by yang energy (hot air). Astrologers in ancient times found that the Sirius alias ("the Dog star") rise and fall together with the Sun during the hottest weeks of summer. In Latin, the term "dies caniculars" was derived – or "canicular days" in English – which evolved into the colloquial term, "dog days".

Dog days usually come in three periods, from mid-July to mid-August, namely: 初伏 (mid-July), 中伏 (late July to early August), 末伏(mid-August). The duration of dog days are calculated by Chinese lunar calendar, and this year sees an extended dog days as the first period lasts from July 13 to 22, the second July 23 to Aug 11, and the third Aug 12 to 21.

In the traditional Chinese calendar, there are different customs for different periods of the dog days. Apart from dumplings for the first period of dog days, there are noodles for second day and pancakes with scrambled eggs for third. Customary traditions vary in regions in China and locals in Nanjing and Xuzhou of Jiangsu have their own way of marking the occasion.

Lamb soup with chili oil in Xuzhou [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The custom of eating lamb in Xuzhou is thought to date back to the Yao and Shun times of the Neolithic Period. When dog days start, locals gather at restaurants or barbecue stands and have eat spicy lamb soup or roasted mutton as a way to eliminate inner heat toxins and dampness.

Locals in Nanjing usually take a bowl of chilled sweet mung bean soup to ease summer heat. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Meanwhile, Nanjing locals live the days in a cooler way. A bowl of chilled sweet mung bean soup could help quench the thirst and take much of the heat away.