The “Start of Summer” solar term will arrive at 13:57 Beijing time on May 5th.
At this time of year, most spring flowers have withered, and the riot of colors in spring will soon transition to the lush greenery of summer.
“Summer Begins” marks the beginning of summer, it comes on May 5 or May 6 every year. When the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 45 degrees, it’s the beginning of the summer.
Usually people consider this period as the time where temperature begins to rise obviously, thunderstorm becomes more frequent and crops’ growth enter the peak season. Many crops seeded in spring can be harvested in the summer.
Since the temperature rises continuously, people should take food which are easier to digest and are with more vitamins. It’s better to avoid oily and spicy food. Another principle is to eat something good for the heart, for example, milk, bean products and chicken. More vegetables and fruits can help increase the cellulose, Vitamin B and Vitamin C and thus prevent arteriosclerosis diseases.
Between the Start of Summer and the next solar term, Grain Buds, there are three indicators in phenology: 1. cries of mole crickets, 2. earthworms coming out of the ground, 3. Wanggua melons growing.
There are several traditions on the Start of Summer .
The tradition of weighing oneself on the Start of Summer originated in The Three Kingdoms period. It is said that weighing oneself on the Start of Summer can help people not fear the summer heat and stay healthy.
“Eating an egg on the Start of Summer will increase your strength by ten thousand.” In ancient China, people believed that round eggs symbolized a happy life. Eating eggs on the Start of Summer is a wish for health and happiness.
Eggs are also an interesting decoration. As the saying goes, “If a baby hangs an egg on the chest during the Start of Summer, the child won’t have disease in summer.” During the Start of Summer solar term, parents will prepare eggs , generally, eggs are boiled in plain water with shells (the eggshells must not be broken), soaked in cold water, and then placed in a net bag woven with colored silk or velvet thread for children to hang around their necks,hoping to bless their children with good health.
In addition, eggs can also be used for recreational activities, such as “egg fighting”.The rules of egg-fighting are quite simple. It’s all about “seeing whose eggshell is harder” : each person holds an egg. The pointed one is the head and the round one is the tail. The egg heads bump into the egg heads and the egg tails hit the egg tails, fighting one by one. The one who breaks the shell concedes defeat and eats the egg. The owner of the egg that remains unbroken is honored as the “Egg King”.
Wave goodbye to spring and stay with summer. May we be as passionate as summer flowers and as free as the gentle breeze.
Hello, summer~
Post time: May-05-2025