古代人怎样过夏天？（双语）

成长快线

　　大暑是二十四节气之一,也正值“三伏天”里的“中伏”前后，是一年中最热的时期，气温最高。
　　Major Heat, or Da Shu in Chinese, which is the 12thsolar term of China’s lunar calendar, started on July 23 this year. During this period of time, most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year.

　　习惯了与空调、电风扇为伴的现代人也许很难想象，在没有电也没有电器的古代，人们如何度过热浪滚滚的夏天？
　　Nowadays, people can use air-conditioning to help relieve the summer heat. However, in ancient times, without such appliances, how did people pass the hot summer?

　　其实，古人度夏不但充分体现了智慧，还十分低碳环保且有情趣。
　　

　　首先，我们从“衣食住行”中的“衣”说起。其实在古代，衣物的材质比现代人常穿的棉和化纤制品都要凉爽。一般皇室夏季所穿的衣服都是由纱或者丝绸制成，十分舒适凉爽。
　　The summer costumes for the royals are mainly made of fabrics like yarn and silk. The materials are permeable, which keep the wearer cool.

　　

　　各种夏季水果与饮品在古代皇宫里可谓是无限供应，不仅品种多样，还有从全国各地上贡来的特产。
　　The summer food and drinks in the royal court are mainly various kinds of melons and fruits, as well as tribute tea from around the country.

　　

　　夏日饮冰也并非是现代人才特有的消夏福利。那么没有冰箱的古人怎样储存冰的呢？一种用木头制成的原始“冰箱”在清朝皇宫就已经广泛使用了。上面有盖，中间有夹层，把冰块放到夹层里，盖上盖子，用来保存冰块。
　　Iceboxes made of wood were widely used in the royal court of the Qing Dynasty. Due to the weak conductivity of heat, lead or tin is put inside the box to extend the hours for preserving the natural ice.

　　

　　在建设紫禁城的宫殿时，建筑师们也考虑了避暑这个问题。例如，皇宫中凡是寝宫也都是支摘窗、外檐挂堂帘。在早上堂帘支窗放下来，这样，外面的热气进不来，可保持室内凉爽。到下午太阳西下，把堂帘卷起，支窗支起，凉风进到屋内。
　　Many features of the architecture of the Forbidden City help to relive the summer heat. The Zhizhai window, or hung and removable window, is one of the great inventions.(英语环球广播)