On a hot summer day, when modern people rely on air conditioning and ice cream to survive the long summer, a question mark quietly emerges: in ancient times, without the convenience of modern technology, how did the ancients cope with the scorching heat?
Summer, for the ancient Chinese, is not only a change of seasons, but also a display of the art of living. In an era far from modernity, it has become a curious history how they used the gifts of nature to create a series of methods of escaping the heat that were both practical and ingenious.
Using simple substances, they have created amazing ways to escape the heat. And these methods not only reflect the wisdom of the ancients, but also give us a deeper understanding of ancient life.
The Ice Cellar of the Ancients: The Gift of Winter
On a hot summer day, the courtyard of Li Si's family is cool and fresh. In the corner of the courtyard, there is an ice cellar made of masonry, and the door of the ice cellar is closed to keep its interior cold. Li Si, an ordinary farmer, goes with his children to the nearby river every winter to chop the ice, carefully cutting it with a sharp shovel and transporting it back to the village in a horse-drawn cart to store it in an ice cellar.
On a summer morning, as soon as the sun rises, Li Si will open the door of the ice cellar. The cool air mixed with the fresh smell of ice cubes suddenly dilutes the summer heat. He carefully took out several large ice cubes from the ice cellar and put them into the large clay pot at home. These large clay pots, handed down from his ancestors, have heavy walls that keep the ice cool on hot summer days.
Li Si's wife, Xiaohua, was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen. She would take a small piece of ice from the clay pot and place it in a wooden basin to wash the vegetables. Cool droplets of water drip from the vegetables, bringing a hint of coolness. Li Si's children, Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong, sit around the clay pot, they like to scoop a bowl of ice water in a small bowl, and then drink while discussing the small fish they are going to catch by the river today.
Afterwards, Li Sihui took the children to work in the fields. The summer sun is scorching, but thinking of the ice cubes at home, Li Si can always find the motivation to continue working. During their lunch break, they return home and enjoy the coolness of the ice. Li Sihui would take a large piece of ice from the clay pot and place it on a bamboo tray, allowing the children to sit around and enjoy the cool air of the ice while blowing a homemade fan.
In the afternoon, the neighbors in the village often come to Li Si's house to cool off. Everyone sat in the shade of the tree, and Li Si took out the ice cubes from the clay pot and distributed them to everyone. The village elders tell stories from past years, while the children play and play. Xiaohua will be busy preparing tea and snacks for everyone, and the ice cubes make the tea extra cool, which is loved by everyone.
At night, the effect of ice cubes is even more pronounced. Li Si would place a large block of ice in the center of the house, and then open the window to let the night breeze blow into the house. The cool breeze combined with ice cubes makes the whole room cool and comfortable. The family sat in the room, enjoying this rare cool moment, talking and laughing.
Such a summer day, although simple, is full of the warmth of family and the tranquility of the countryside. Li Si's home is like a small paradise in summer, bringing a trace of coolness and infinite happiness to everyone in the village. Through this lifestyle, Li Si and his family demonstrated the wisdom of the ancients in the use of nature, as well as their resilience and optimism in the face of the challenges of the natural world.
Clay Pots and Bamboo Lady: Summer companions for ordinary people
In the long streets and alleys of ancient times, the breath of summer permeates every corner. Sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves and shines on the bluestone pavement, giving off a faint heat. On such a summer day, the courtyard of Granny Zhang's house has become a cool place among the neighbors.
Granny Zhang's home is close to the corner of the alley, and although her house is simple, it always gives people a sense of freshness and tranquility. By the window of the house are several large clay pots, which are the ancestral heirlooms of Granny Zhang, and are carved with exquisite patterns. Every morning, Granny Zhang would go to the ancient well at the entrance of the village to fetch water, which was cold and clear, which was a great comfort in summer.
The water in the clay pot is not only used to make tea, but also a good product for residents to cool off. Children would often gather under Granny Zhang's window, and Granny Zhang would use a long spoon to scoop water for them to drink. The children sat around the clay pot, drinking cold water while listening to Granny Zhang's ancient story.
On summer afternoons, Granny Zhang would set up a few bamboo chairs in the yard and invite the neighbors to cool off. She would scoop cold water out of the clay pot and make a pot of fragrant tea for everyone. Neighbors chatted over tea and discussed the affairs of the village. At such moments, everyone forgets about the summer heat and immerses themselves in this simple and pure joy.
When night falls, and the whole village is immersed in tranquility, Granny Zhang will bring out her treasured bamboo lady. This bamboo lady was woven by herself when she was young, using the most flexible bamboo strips in the bamboo forest at the edge of the village. She would put Madame Bamboo next to the bed and gently shake it, and it would bring a cool breeze.
The children especially liked Granny Zhang's Bamboo Lady, and they would sit around Granny Zhang and enjoy the coolness brought by Lady Bamboo while listening to her story. Granny Zhang would often smile and say to the neighbors: "This Mrs. Bamboo, but my baby, without it, how can I spend the summer!"
In that era when there was no air conditioning and electric fans, Granny Zhang's home seemed to be a small summer resort. Neighborhood children, the elderly, and even passers-by will stop at Granny Zhang's house to enjoy the coolness she provides.
Every summer, Granny Zhang's yard is always lively. The laughter of the children, the chatter of the elderly, and the sound of Mrs. Bamboo swaying all constitute the best memories of summer. On such days, the simple way of life and the wise use of nature show the unique way of the ancients to fight the heat, and also convey a simple and harmonious taste for life.
The aristocracy's strategy to escape the heat: waterwheels and stone beds
The mansion of General Li, a wealthy aristocratic family in ancient China, is one of the most spectacular buildings in the area. His mansion is set in a vast courtyard with a variety of flowers and trees, surrounded by a crystal clear river. The summer sun shines on the stone slabs of the courtyard, reflecting a faint luster, but in General Li's house, there is a unique coolness.
On one side of the mansion, an elaborate waterwheel was built. This waterwheel was designed and made by craftsmen specially invited by General Li from afar, and it is not only a decoration of the courtyard, but also an important tool to escape the heat. The waterwheel slowly rotates to lift the cool water from the creek, and then through a series of delicate pipes, the water droplets are directed to the eaves, so that the crystal water droplets can be seen everywhere in the courtyard, bringing a trace of coolness to the whole mansion.
On summer afternoons, General Lee would sit in the courtyard and watch the waterwheel turn. He likes to listen to the sound of the waterwheel turning, and thinks it calms his mind. His wife, Mrs. Lee, would often be by his side, and the two of them would enjoy this moment of tranquility together.
When night comes, there is a cool atmosphere in the courtyard. General Lee would lie on his stone bed, which was carved from a single block of cold marble with elaborate patterns carved into it, a work of art in the mansion. The night breeze blew, and the coldness of the stone bed became more pronounced, making General Li forget the heat of the day.
Although Mrs. Li occasionally complained about the hardness of the stone bed, this hardness became a pleasure on a hot night. She would put some soft cushions next to the bed to add some comfort to the stone bed. The husband and wife lay on the stone bed, listening to the sound of the waterwheel in the courtyard, feeling the coolness brought by the night breeze, and enjoying the peace and coolness.
In General Lee's mansion, there were also many servants and maids. They will be busy in the summer, providing the best service to the general's family. Servants regularly check the operation of the watermill to ensure that it is working properly and that it brings constant coolness to the mansion. The maids would set up mats and pillows in the courtyard so that General Li and his family could rest in the courtyard.
General Lee's children especially like to play in the courtyard. They frolic next to the waterwheel and sometimes try to operate it themselves, enjoying the fun of carrying water from the creek. General Li looked at the children's cheerful appearance, and his heart was full of satisfaction and joy.
In such a summer day, General Lee's mansion is not only a summer resort, but also a world of joy and harmony. Although the life of the aristocratic family was rich, the summer escape method of General Li's family not only reflected their respect and use of nature, but also showed the combination of ancient Chinese wisdom and aesthetics. In such an environment, everyone can find their own coolness and tranquility.
Ice cream of the Yuan Dynasty: a delicacy across the ages
During the Yuan Dynasty, the market was an indispensable part of people's lives, especially on hot summer days, when the market was always lively. Among the many hawkers, there is one particular sound that stands out – it is the ice cream vendor.
This ice cream, made with a mixture of milk, sugar and ice cubes, was a specialty of the market at the time. Vendors use wooden blenders to stir the ingredients of ice cream in large iron pots, which are then carefully packed into ceramic bowls for sale. The appearance of ice cream always attracts the curious eyes of the people around them, and the children are full of interest in this new thing.
The little boy Armin is particularly fond of this kind of ice cream. When summer came, he would take his mother to the market to buy ice cream. Amin's mother, an ordinary housewife, also appreciated this novel food. She would tell Ming: "This ice cream is our original Chinese creation, and there is no such delicious thing anywhere else." ”
At the market, Amin's favorite is the owner who sells ice cream. The owner is a kind middle-aged man who always smiles and explains the process of making ice cream to Amin and the other children. When the boss handed the ice cream to Amin, Amin's eyes always sparkled with excitement and anticipation.
Armin was eating ice cream while discussing it with his friends. They will imagine if a faraway country can also have such a delicacy. Some of Amin's friends said it was possible, while others shook their heads and said it was impossible, and their discussions were always full of innocence and curiosity.
After eating the ice cream, Amin and his friends would wander around the market. They will look at the various stalls and be amazed by the variety of goods in the market. Sometimes, they also help the vendors with small things, such as making deliveries or delivering messages.
Amin's mother, who keeps an eye on Amin while shopping, is always worried that he will get lost in the bustling market. But every time she sees Amin's happy and carefree smiling face, her heart is filled with warmth.
At sunset, Amin and his mother would come home with a full harvest. On the way home, Amin was always excited to tell his mother what he had seen and heard at the market. Amin's mother would listen to him with a smile, her heart full of love for her son and gratitude for life.
In those days, the bazaar was not only a place for shopping, but also a center for people to socialize and entertain. For children like Amin, the market is an important window into the world and life. Through these simple and joyful experiences, they learn to appreciate the good in life and also learn to see the world with curious eyes.
Resources:
1. Encyclopedia of Ancient Chinese Life
2. History of Ancient Chinese Architecture
3. Ancient Chinese Folklore
4. "Food History"