Li Xia, or the Beginning of Summer, is the seventh solar term in the twenty-four solar cycle, typically falling between May 5th and 6th each year. At this time, the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 45°, temperatures rise steadily, and summer heat gradually sets in as thunderstorms become more frequent, marking the transition from late spring to early summer. The term “Li Xia” signifies the start of the warmer season, when crops enter a phase of rapid growth, and the agricultural focus shifts from sowing to tending. In phenological terms, Li Xia is characterized by three signs: “the chirping of the mole cricket, the emergence of earthworms, and the climbing of vine vegetables.” In traditional agrarian society, this solar term reminds farmers to guard against drought or waterlogging and to manage pests and weeds, while the warmth accelerates the ripening of spring-sown grains. An old farming proverb states, “Establish summer well, and the harvest will tell,” highlighting the term’s critical role in crop development.
Historically, Li Xia has been accompanied by rich folk customs and cultural symbolism. The practice of “weighing people at the beginning of summer” was popular in the Jiangnan region: after a meal, people would weigh themselves on a scale in hopes of surviving the sweltering summer without losing weight or falling ill. This custom, often accompanied by auspicious remarks, reflected a concern for health amid seasonal change. Relatedly, the tradition of “eating broad beans” or “five-color rice” during Li Xia represented a dietary nod to the colors of summer, believed to nourish the heart and strengthen the body. Additionally, “holding egg competitions” was a favorite children’s activity, where boiled eggs were knocked tip to tip; the unbroken egg symbolized resilience against summer maladies. In central and northern China, “eating summer porridge” and “drinking summer tea” were common practices, with recipes incorporating green beans, lotus seeds, or bamboo leaves to dispel heat and promote digestion. These customs have woven together nature reverence, dietary wisdom, and preventive healthcare into a vivid tableau of seasonal harmony between heaven and humanity.
By Yuan Ruichen/ Zhang Yishuo
