24 Solar Terms — Start of Summer
Start of Summer, called Lixia in Chinese, is the seventh solar term of the 24 solar terms in China. It usually falls on May 5th or 6th every year. When this special day comes, it means spring has come to an end and summer officially begins. The temperature rises quickly, days become much longer than nights, and the whole nature is filled with strong vitality. Trees grow thick green leaves, flowers bloom brightly, and all living things grow at a fast speed.
立夏，中文称作Lixia，是中国二十四节气中的第七个节气。它通常在每年的5月5日或6日到来。这个特别的日子来临，意味着春天结束，夏天正式开启。气温快速上升，白天变得比夜晚长很多，整个大自然都充满旺盛的生命力。树木长出茂密的绿叶，花儿灿烂绽放，所有生物都在快速生长。
There are quite a few interesting traditional customs on Start of Summer. The most famous one is weighing people. Both adults and children will sit on a special hanging scale to weigh themselves. People believe this custom can bring them good health and protect them from summer diseases. Another fun activity is eating and tapping eggs. Families cook eggs with tea or herbs, and children love to play egg-tapping games with their friends. It’s a happy tradition full of childlike fun.
立夏有不少有趣的传统习俗。最有名的就是称人。大人和小孩都会坐在特制的悬挂秤上称体重，人们相信这个习俗能带来健康，让他们远离夏季疾病。另一个有趣的活动是吃鸡蛋和碰鸡蛋，家人们用茶叶或草药煮鸡蛋，孩子们喜欢和朋友玩碰鸡蛋游戏，这是充满童真乐趣的欢乐传统。
On this day, people also like to eat fresh seasonal food, such as bamboo shoots, green beans and fresh fruits. These light and tasty foods are good for people to adapt to the hot weather. Farmers are busy working in the fields too, because crops like rice and wheat grow rapidly now. They take good care of the crops, looking forward to a good harvest in autumn.
在这一天，人们还喜欢吃新鲜的时令食物，比如竹笋、青豆和新鲜水果。这些清淡美味的食物，能帮助人们适应炎热的天气。农民们也在田间忙碌劳作，因为水稻、小麦等农作物此时生长迅速，他们悉心照料庄稼，期盼秋天能有好收成。
Start of Summer is not only a sign of seasonal change, but also a symbol of growth and hope. It carries the wisdom of ancient Chinese people who observed nature closely, and their deep love for life. This lovely solar term has been passed down from generation to generation, and still brings warmth and joy to our life today.
立夏不仅是季节更替的标志，更是成长与希望的象征。它承载着中国古人观察自然的智慧，以及他们对生活的热爱。这个美好的节气代代相传，如今依然给我们的生活带来温暖与欢乐。
词汇积累
1. solar term 节气
2. fall on （日期）适逢，来临
3. come to an end 结束
4. officially 正式地
5. temperature 温度
6. vitality 生命力
7. bloom 开花
8. traditional custom 传统习俗
9. weigh people 称人（立夏习俗）
10. protect...from... 保护……免受……
11. disease 疾病
12. egg-tapping game 碰鸡蛋游戏
13. childlike fun 童真乐趣
14. seasonal food 时令食物
15. adapt to 适应
16. crop 农作物，庄稼
17. take good care of 悉心照料
18. look forward to 期盼
19. harvest 收成
20. pass down 传承
