The Beginning of Summer (Lìxià): A Seasonal Transition of Growth and Tradition
The Beginning of Summer (Lìxià), the 7th solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar, heralds the arrival of summer. Around May 5th or 6th annually, when the sun reaches 45° celestial longitude, nature bursts into vibrant growth. In 2025, it falls on May 5th, coinciding with the 8th day of the fourth lunar month—a time of lengthening days and lush greenery, echoed in the farming proverb: “Lìxià watches over summer’s bounty.”
Customs include weighing oneself for health blessings and enjoying seasonal foods like fresh wheat and broad beans. Southern China celebrates with “Lìxià rice,” a dish symbolizing vitality. More than a climatic shift, Lìxià embodies hope: to thrive with the season’s energy and abundance.
Astronomical and Cultural Significance
The Beginning of Summer (Lìxià), the 7th of China’s 24 solar terms, officially commences on May 5, 2025 (Monday), marking the transition from spring’s gentle warmth to summer’s vibrant energy. Astronomically, it occurs when the sun reaches 45° celestial longitude, signaling longer days and heightened solar intensity. In the lunar calendar, this year’s Lìxià aligns with the 8th day of the fourth month in the Year of the Wood Snake.
Ancient Chinese agrarian society revered Lìxià as a pivotal growth phase. The Book of Rites records: “In early summer, the virtue of fire reigns,” linking the season to the element of fire—a symbol of vitality and transformation. Farmers traditionally observed weather patterns on this day, believing rain during Lìxià foretold a bountiful harvest, while drought signaled hardship.
Ecological and Agricultural Impact
Lìxià triggers visible ecological shifts:
Flora: Peonies bloom, mulberries ripen, and lotus leaves begin to unfurl. The 72 Pentads, an ancient phenological guide, describes Lìxià’s three phases:
Crickets chirp
Earthworms surface
Trichosanthes cucumeroides vines sprout.
Fauna: Silkworms spin cocoons, and migratory birds like cuckoos return, their calls heralding the season.
Agriculturally, Lìxià demands intensified labor. Southern China plants rice seedlings, while northern regions weed wheat fields. An old proverb warns: “If rain avoids Lìxià, plows will idle,” emphasizing the term’s weather-dependency for crop success.
Time-Honored Customs and Rituals
(1) “Weighing People” (Chēngrén)
A unique Lìxià tradition involves public weigh-ins to assess health. Originating from the Three Kingdoms period, it was believed weight gain during summer signified robustness. Communities erected makeshift scales, chanting rhymes like: “Weigh on Lìxià, laughter fills the beams.”
(2) Culinary Traditions
Lìxià Rice: A communal dish of glutinous rice, peas, and bamboo shoots, symbolizing unity and fertility.
Seasonal Bites: Fresh cherries, green plums, and mulberries are eaten to “cool the blood,” while tea-infused hard-boiled eggs represent renewed energy.
Regional Variations: Suzhou’s “Three New Tastes”—wheat, bamboo shoots, and carp; Fujian’s red-colored “Taiping eggs” for children’s safety.
(3) Folk Activities
Egg Competitions: Children duel with hard-boiled eggs; the uncracked egg “wins” luck.
Herb Baths: Infusions of mugwort and calamus ward off summer ailments.
Philosophical and Modern Relevance
Lìxià embodies Taoist and Confucian ideals:
Harmony with Nature: The term reflects “unity of heaven and humanity,” urging alignment with seasonal rhythms.
Social Cohesion: Shared meals and weigh-ins reinforced community bonds—a practice mirrored today in urban wellness trends like summer detox diets.
In contemporary China, Lìxià is celebrated through:
Eco-tourism: Visitors flock to tea plantations (e.g., Hangzhou’s Longjing) for first harvests.
Digital Engagement: Hashtags like #Lìxià trend on social media, blending tradition with modernity.
Global Parallels and Ecological Lessons
Comparable festivals include:
Japan’s Risshun: Focuses on spring’s start but shares emphasis on seasonal foods.
Europe’s May Day: Similarly tied to agrarian cycles via maypole dances.
Lìxià’s low-carbon ethos—relying on local, seasonal produce—offers solutions for climate challenges, advocating a return to sustainable living.
Conclusion
From ancient fields to smartphone screens, Lìxià remains a living tradition. It bridges past and present, reminding humanity to honor nature’s cadence—a lesson as vital today as in the Zhou Dynasty. As the sun lingers on May 5th, let us too pause, taste a mulberry, and welcome summer’s fiery promise.
