Lixia: The Beginning of Summer

What is Lixia?
Lixia (立夏) is the 7th of China's 24 solar terms and marks the first day of summer. It usually falls on May 5th or 6th each year.
"Li" means "start," and "Xia" means "summer" or "big/growing." The name reflects that spring-planted crops have now grown tall and entered their peak growing season.

Three Signs of Lixia
Ancient Chinese observed three natural phenomena during Lixia:

• Crickets and frogs begin to chirp in the fields

• Earthworms come out of the soil

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  Vines start climbing rapidly

Traditional Customs
Weighing people：Weigh yourself on Lixia to bring good luck and stay healthy through the hot summer
Eating eggs：Eggs are believed to boost energy and prevent summer fatigue, especially for children
Seasonal vegetables：Eating fresh beans, amaranth, and garlic chives – a tradition called "Tasting the Three Fresh Delicacies"
Noodles    Eating noodles symbolizes longevity

A Poem for Lixia
The Song Dynasty poet Lu You wrote:

• Swallows nest in fresh mud,
  Bees grow scarce as flowers fade.
  Shade grows thick from locust trees,
  Summer's heat has just begun.

Health Tips
In traditional Chinese medicine, summer is the season of the heart. Lixia is a good time to:

• Eat warm, seasonal foods like chives and ginger

• Avoid too many cold or raw foods

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  Keep your belly and feet warm while sleeping

Why It Matters Today
Lixia reminds people to live in harmony with nature. Many Chinese cities now hold outdoor activities such as "Summer Welcoming Rides" and mountain walks to celebrate the season.

Source：Chinajob (Chinese Source: China Daily, Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily)